DGMS CMR 2026: Latest Changes in Coal Mines Regulations Explained
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has introduced important updates under the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 (CMR) during 2025–26 to strengthen safety, supervision, and statutory compliance in coal mines across India.
This article explains only the confirmed changes within CMR, without including draft rules or general safety circulars.
1. Amendment in Regulation 30 – Assistant Manager Provisions
DGMS has amended Regulation 30 of CMR 2017 through a Gazette Notification to revise requirements related to Assistant Managers.
Key Changes
- The number of Assistant Managers is now linked to mine production and operational scale
- High-production coal mines must deploy additional Assistant Managers
- At least one Assistant Manager must hold a First Class Manager’s Certificate in large mines
Impact: This ensures stronger supervision, reduced managerial overload, and better control at working faces.
2. Stronger Enforcement of Supervisory Control
DGMS has emphasized stricter enforcement of existing supervisory provisions under CMR.
- Mandatory shift-wise presence of statutory supervisory personnel
- Clear accountability during DGMS inspections
- Action against paper or dummy supervision
Impact: Mines must ensure actual deployment of qualified supervisory staff at all times.
3. Updates in Competency Certificate Process
Under CMR 2017, DGMS has updated procedures for statutory competency certificates such as:
- Mine Manager
- Assistant Manager
- Overman
- Sirdar
- Winding Engine Driver
Key Updates
- Standardized Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Revised oral and practical examination guidelines
- Stricter scrutiny of experience and eligibility documents
4. Digital Compliance Under CMR
DGMS is encouraging digital systems for effective implementation of CMR provisions:
- Online submission of statutory returns
- Electronic inspection records
- Digital communication with mine management
Impact: Increased transparency and reduced compliance-related disputes.
5. Is CMR 2017 Replaced in 2026?
No.
- CMR 2017 is still fully in force
- Only selected regulations have been amended
- No complete replacement has been notified yet
CMR 2026 Full Free PDF Download – Coal Mines Regulations 2026
Future Coal Mines Regulations may be introduced under the OSH & WC Code, but until then, CMR 2017 remains legally applicable.
Conclusion
The latest DGMS CMR updates focus on improving supervisory strength, competency standards, and accountability rather than rewriting the entire regulation.
All coal mine owners, managers, and professionals must comply with these changes to avoid DGMS violations and ensure safer mining operations.
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4 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