Coal India sets record date for ₹5.25 dividend after profit rise
State-run Coal India will seek shareholder approval for a ₹5.25 per share final dividend at its August AGM after posting an 11% rise in annual profit, giving income investors a clear timeline for payouts despite softer coal pricing.
Coal India has scheduled its 52nd Annual General Meeting for August 31, 2026, to secure shareholder approval for a final dividend of ₹5.25 per equity share for the financial year ending March 2026. The state-controlled miner initially proposed this payout on April 27 alongside its March quarter earnings. Investors must hold the stock on the September 4 record date to qualify for the distribution.
The dividend is backed by a solid finish to the fiscal year. Consolidated net profit for the March quarter climbed 11.15% year-on-year to ₹10,839 crore, compared to ₹9,751 crore in the prior-year period. Revenue from operations increased 5.75% to ₹46,490 crore, up from ₹43,961 crore a year earlier and marking a sequential improvement from the December quarter's ₹42,436 crore.
Despite the revenue growth, the earnings reveal softness in coal pricing. The company's average realisation from e-auction sales fell to ₹2,202 per tonne, down from ₹2,363 per tonne in the same quarter last year. Overall average price realisation for coal supplied during the period also declined by ₹23 year-on-year to ₹1,597.85 per tonne.
For market participants, this pricing dynamic is a critical metric, suggesting that volume growth or cost efficiencies are currently offsetting weaker per-tonne margins to drive bottom-line expansion. Income-focused investors will note the precise timeline for the payout, though standard tax deduction at source rules under the Income Tax Act will apply. The company plans to publish specific exemption guidelines on its website ahead of the distribution.
Logistically, the AGM will be conducted entirely through video conferencing and audio-visual means via the NSDL e-voting platform, with virtual attendees counting toward the quorum. Furthermore, Coal India will distribute its Integrated Annual Report for FY26 exclusively through electronic channels to shareholders with registered email addresses, aligning with its regulatory obligations.
