Coal India Limited (CIL) has implemented significant reforms to strengthen post-retirement welfare for its retired employees, benefiting over 4.5 lakh pensioners. The company collaborated with the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO) to accelerate digital transformation of pension administration through the C-CARES platform, reducing average settlement time for retirement claims from 30 days to just 10 days. Additional digital modules are under development to facilitate online pension revision and issuance of revised Pension Payment Orders (PPOs).
The C-CARES portal enables issuance of PPOs and settlement of CMPF dues on the day of retirement, while gratuity is released according to statutory provisions. Revised PPOs now incorporate details of eligible spouses, simplifying the commencement of family pension without requiring separate approval from CMPFO for routine cases.
In a major social security initiative, the minimum pension under the Coal Mines Pension Scheme was increased to ₹1,000 per month effective 8 March 2024, benefiting approximately 40,000 pensioners. CIL has established dedicated Post Retirement Benefit Cells (PRBCs) at its headquarters and subsidiaries to serve as single-point contacts for retired employees.
Healthcare coverage remains a key component, with approximately 1.13 lakh retired employees enrolled under the Contributory Post Retirement Medicare Scheme (CPRMS) having access to cashless treatment at 532 empanelled hospitals nationwide. The scheme provides medical coverage up to ₹25 lakh for retired executives and ₹8 lakh for retired non-executives, with treatment expenses for specified critical illnesses remaining outside these financial ceilings.
Financial disbursements saw substantial growth in FY 2025-26, with provident fund disbursement increasing by 19.5% to ₹13,608.8 crore from ₹11,391.6 crore in the previous year. Pension disbursement rose by 22.9% to ₹6,427 crore from ₹5,229.1 crore, representing a combined increase of ₹3,415.1 crore in PF and pension disbursements. The company also continues to provide access to empanelled holiday homes for retired employees.