Ask ten people in the coal industry what "CMR 2026" means and you may get two different answers. Some are talking about recent changes to the existing Coal Mines Regulations, 2017. Others mean a brand-new set of coal mine regulations that the government has put out in draft form. Both are real, and mixing them up is the fastest way to get confused, or to quote the wrong rule in an exam or an inspection.
This article separates the two. It explains what has actually changed, what is still only a draft, and what you should do about it, whether you are a mine manager, a supervisor or an aspirant preparing for a DGMS exam.
Last checked: October 2026. Mining law is moving quickly right now. Before you rely on anything here for compliance or an exam answer, confirm the current status on the official DGMS website (dgms.gov.in) and in the Gazette.
The short version
- Regulation 30 of CMR 2017 (appointment of Assistant Managers) was amended through Gazette Notification G.S.R. 640(E), which DGMS lists as the scale of appointment of Assistant Managers in coal mines.
- The OSH&WC Code, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025, and the Central Rules under it were notified in May 2026.
- A draft set of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026 was published on 28 January 2026 (G.S.R. 67(E)). When finalised, it is meant to replace CMR 2017.
- Until the final coal mines regulations are notified, CMR 2017 is the document DGMS continues to list as the operative coal mines regulation.
1. Amendment to Regulation 30: Assistant Managers
Regulation 30 of CMR 2017 deals with how many Assistant Managers a coal mine must appoint. DGMS lists a Gazette Notification, G.S.R. 640(E), under this regulation on the "scale of appointment of Assistant Manager in coal mines".
In plain terms, the idea behind the amendment is to link the number of Assistant Managers to the size and workload of the mine, instead of leaving large operations thinly covered. Exam-preparation material on the notification points out a few features:
- The scale depends on production or material handled. For opencast mines this is generally worked out on the average material handled (coal plus overburden).
- Higher-production mines need more Assistant Managers.
- Certain safety-critical areas and duties, such as haul roads and night-shift lighting, are covered by dedicated Assistant Manager provisions.
- Qualification-based conditions apply in larger mines, including a role for holders of a First Class Manager's Certificate.
Why it matters: more qualified supervision at the working face means less overload on the manager and better control of day-to-day safety. If you run or work in a coal mine, read the notification itself for the exact thresholds that apply to your mine before planning your manpower.
2. Supervision: what inspectors expect to see
This is less a new rule and more a reminder of an old one. CMR 2017 requires qualified statutory supervisory staff to be present and responsible on every shift. In practice, that means:
- The right certificate holders are actually deployed in each shift, not just named on paper.
- Records, duty rosters and inspection entries match what is happening on the ground.
- Responsibility is clear and traceable if something goes wrong.
Treat paper supervision as a serious compliance risk. It is also the kind of thing that comes up in accident inquiries.
3. Certificates are now handled online
DGMS has moved its statutory certificate process online. Competency certificates, such as those for Manager, Assistant Manager, Overman and Sirdar, are issued through examination or exemption in online mode. If you are an aspirant, this means applying, tracking and receiving certificates through the DGMS portal, and keeping your experience and eligibility documents in order, since they are checked closely. Exam format details can change from one notification to the next, so rely on the latest DGMS notice for the pattern.
CMR 2026 Full Free PDF Download – Coal Mines Regulations 2026
4. The bigger picture: the OSH Code and the draft coal regulations
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 brings 13 earlier labour safety laws, including the Mines Act, 1952, under one roof. It came into force on 21 November 2025, and the Central Rules under it were notified on 8 May 2026.
The Code lets the Central Government make regulations for mines, and in January 2026 the government published the draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026. As drafted, they would apply to every coal mine, come into force on publication in the Gazette, and repeal the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017. Among other things, the draft proposes a Board of Mining Examination and sets out qualification requirements for the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator and Inspectors-cum-Facilitators.
The important word is draft. A draft invites objections and suggestions and does not become law until it is finally notified. At the time of writing, DGMS still lists CMR 2017 and shows the 2026 coal regulations as a draft. If the final version has been notified by the time you read this, the picture changes, so check before you act.
Is CMR 2017 still applicable?
Based on DGMS's own listing, yes, CMR 2017 and its amendments remain the operative coal mines regulations while the new regulations are still in draft form. Only selected provisions, such as Regulation 30, have been amended so far. That could change the moment the final OSH&WC (Coal Mines) Regulations are notified, so treat this as a status check you repeat every few months.
What should you do now?
If you run or work in a coal mine
- Check your Assistant Manager deployment against the Regulation 30 notification for your mine's production or material handled.
- Make sure shift-wise supervision on paper matches reality.
- Keep certificates and experience records up to date and easy to produce.
- Follow DGMS announcements on the final coal regulations so you are ready for the transition.
If you are preparing for a DGMS exam
- Know that Assistant Manager appointment sits under Regulation 30 of CMR 2017.
- Remember the difference between an amendment (Regulation 30) and a draft (OSH&WC Coal Mines Regulations, 2026).
- Learn the numbers from the notification itself instead of relying only on coaching notes.
- Use the question paper's year and the syllabus notice to decide whether to answer from CMR 2017 or the newer framework.
Frequently asked questions
Is CMR 2017 still applicable in 2026?
According to DGMS's listing, yes. It remains the operative coal mines regulation while the new OSH&WC (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026 are in draft. Check for a final notification before relying on this.
What is the major change in CMR so far?
The amendment to Regulation 30 through G.S.R. 640(E), which revises the scale of appointment of Assistant Managers in coal mines.
Is the First Class Manager's Certificate compulsory for an Assistant Manager?
Not in every case. The rules apply conditions to larger mines, and the exact requirement depends on the mine's size and the text of the notification. Read the gazette text for your mine's category.
Is "CMR 2026" a law that has already replaced CMR 2017?
No. The 2026 coal regulations were published in draft in January 2026. They replace CMR 2017 only after the final notification.
Conclusion
The real story of CMR in 2026 is one of transition. A targeted amendment to Regulation 30 has already tightened Assistant Manager deployment, while a larger overhaul under the OSH&WC Code is moving through the drafting stage. For now, the sensible approach is simple: follow CMR 2017 as amended, watch for the final coal regulations, and read the primary documents instead of relying on summaries.
If you would like me to break down the draft regulations section by section, or write a quick revision sheet on Regulation 30 for exam preparation, let me know in the comments.
Disclaimer: This article is for education and awareness. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official Gazette notifications and DGMS publications for the current legal position.
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6 Comments
This proposal recommends strengthening earthing safety practices in opencast and underground coal mines through enhanced frequency of earth resistance measurement and stricter maintenance requirements for earthing systems.
Coal mines have extensive and widely distributed electrical installations operating under harsh conditions such as moisture, vibration, blasting, corrosion, and frequent relocation of equipment. Most coal mine installations adopt the TN earthing system, where equipment is connected to a common earth network and the neutral and protective earth are interconnected. In such systems, faults can propagate to other connected equipment if not cleared rapidly.
Elevated earth resistance, degraded earth pits, undersized or damaged earthing conductors, and poor maintenance can reduce fault current, delay protective relay operation, and cause prolonged fault clearance. This may result in dangerous Ground Potential Rise (GPR), increased touch and step potentials, higher risk of electric shock, fire hazards, and damage to critical equipment such as power transformers.
The Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 provide general earthing requirements and mandate annual earth resistance measurement. However, these regulations are not mine-specific and do not adequately address the accelerated deterioration of earthing systems or the severe safety implications in coal mining environments. The Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 also lack explicit provisions on enhanced testing periodicity, standardized earth pit construction, earthing conductor sizing, and maintenance requirements as per IS 3043.
As a result, reliance on annual testing under general electrical regulations leaves a critical safety and regulatory gap in mining operations.
Proposed Regulatory Measure
It is proposed to incorporate a dedicated provision in the Draft Coal Mines Regulations, 2026 prescribing mine-specific earthing requirements for opencast and underground coal mines adopting the TN system. The provision shall:
Mandate quarterly measurement of earth resistance
Require compliance with earth resistance limits prescribed under CEAR 2023
Mandate earth pit construction strictly as per IS 3043
Explicitly cover maintenance of earth pits, continuity, condition, and adequacy of earthing conductors
Require maintenance of authenticated records in a bound register, subject to verification by Inspectors under CMR
Expected Outcome
The proposed amendment will ensure standardized earth pit construction, early detection of earthing system deterioration, effective control of GPR, timely relay operation, reduction of touch and step voltage hazards, and a significant improvement in overall electrical safety in coal mines.
This proposal recommends strengthening earthing safety practices in opencast and underground coal mines through enhanced frequency of earth resistance measurement and stricter maintenance requirements for earthing systems.
Coal mines have extensive and widely distributed electrical installations operating under harsh conditions such as moisture, vibration, blasting, corrosion, and frequent relocation of equipment. Most coal mine installations adopt the TN earthing system, where equipment is connected to a common earth network and the neutral and protective earth are interconnected. In such systems, faults can propagate to other connected equipment if not cleared rapidly.
Elevated earth resistance, degraded earth pits, undersized or damaged earthing conductors, and poor maintenance can reduce fault current, delay protective relay operation, and cause prolonged fault clearance. This may result in dangerous Ground Potential Rise (GPR), increased touch and step potentials, higher risk of electric shock, fire hazards, and damage to critical equipment such as power transformers.
The Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 provide general earthing requirements and mandate annual earth resistance measurement. However, these regulations are not mine-specific and do not adequately address the accelerated deterioration of earthing systems or the severe safety implications in coal mining environments. The Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 also lack explicit provisions on enhanced testing periodicity, standardized earth pit construction, earthing conductor sizing, and maintenance requirements as per IS 3043.
As a result, reliance on annual testing under general electrical regulations leaves a critical safety and regulatory gap in mining operations.
Proposed Regulatory Measure
It is proposed to incorporate a dedicated provision in the Draft Coal Mines Regulations, 2026 prescribing mine-specific earthing requirements for opencast and underground coal mines adopting the TN system. The provision shall:
Mandate quarterly measurement of earth resistance
Require compliance with earth resistance limits prescribed under CEAR 2023
Mandate earth pit construction strictly as per IS 3043
Explicitly cover maintenance of earth pits, continuity, condition, and adequacy of earthing conductors
Require maintenance of authenticated records in a bound register, subject to verification by Inspectors under CMR
Expected Outcome
The proposed amendment will ensure standardized earth pit construction, early detection of earthing system deterioration, effective control of GPR, timely relay operation, reduction of touch and step voltage hazards, and a significant improvement in overall electrical safety in coal mines.
Your proposal rightly highlights the accelerated deterioration of earthing systems in harsh mining environments and the limitations of annual testing under general electrical regulations. The suggested incorporation of mine-specific earthing provisions in Draft CMR 2026 — including quarterly earth resistance measurement, strict compliance with IS 3043 standards, and proper maintenance records — will significantly enhance fault clearance reliability, control Ground Potential Rise, and reduce electrical hazards in both opencast and underground coal mines.
Such expert insights are crucial for shaping safer and more robust mining regulations. We truly appreciate your professional contribution to improving electrical safety standards in the Indian mining sector.
— Team Indian Minerology
Your proposal rightly highlights the accelerated deterioration of earthing systems in harsh mining environments and the limitations of annual testing under general electrical regulations. The suggested incorporation of mine-specific earthing provisions in Draft CMR 2026 — including quarterly earth resistance measurement, strict compliance with IS 3043 standards, and proper maintenance records — will significantly enhance fault clearance reliability, control Ground Potential Rise, and reduce electrical hazards in both opencast and underground coal mines.
Such expert insights are crucial for shaping safer and more robust mining regulations. We truly appreciate your professional contribution to improving electrical safety standards in the Indian mining sector.
— Team Indian Minerology
Whenever any amendment, revision, or update is made in the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) or any safety-related circular is issued by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) in the interest of safety of any apparatus or equipment, like LHD SDL and UDM with methane. Detector
All such apparatus or equipment requiring special approval of DGMS shall be brought into conformity with the revised provisions.
Accordingly, the manufacturer, supplier, or holder of such special approval shall obtain a revised special approval from DGMS, complying with the relevant provisions of the amended CMR or DGMS circular, within six months from the date of issuance of such amendment or circular, unless otherwise specified.
No apparatus or equipment shall be manufactured, supplied, sold, or used in coal mines after the stipulated period unless the revised special approval has been obtained and is valid.
This provision shall ensure that obsolete approvals do not remain in force after changes in statutory safety requirements and shall prevent the supply or use of equipment like they are supplying LHD without methane Detector not complying with updated safety norms.
The six-month requirement for revising Special Approvals is a crucial step to ensure that all equipment complies with the latest DGMS safety provisions.
Such measures will greatly enhance safety standards in coal mining operations.
— Team Indian Minerology