Ministry of Coal Notifies SECL’s ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’, First Coal PSU CSR Scheme to be Gazette Notified
First-ever Gazette notification for a Coal PSU CSR scheme strengthens transparent, technology-enabled and Aadhaar-supported delivery of benefits while reinforcing SECL's governance-driven CSR model
In a landmark achievement for the coal sector’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Ministry of Coal has notified South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) flagship CSR programme ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’ in the Gazette of India, making it the first CSR scheme of any Coal Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) to receive such recognition.
The Gazette notification marks a major milestone for SECL’s flagship CSR initiative, strengthening its institutional framework and enabling transparent, efficient and technology-enabled delivery of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Coal has issued the notification under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation and Knowledge) Rules, 2020.
The notification enables voluntary Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries of SECL Ke Sushrut, while also ensuring that applicants who opt not to use Aadhaar can establish their identity through alternative government-approved documents. This framework is aimed at improving transparency, accountability and ease of access while ensuring inclusive delivery of benefits.
Launched by SECL in 2023, SECL Ke Sushrut is the company’s flagship CSR programme that provides free residential NEET coaching to meritorious students from SECL’s operational areas, helping them pursue careers in medicine and allied healthcare.
The initiative has delivered remarkable results since its inception.
In its inaugural batch (2023–24), 39 out of 40 students qualified the NEET examination. Among them, 11 students secured admission to MBBS, while others gained admission to BDS, BAMS, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPTH) and Veterinary Science programmes in government colleges across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
The programme continued its success in the second batch (2024–25), with 31 out of 40 students qualifying NEET, leading to admissions in MBBS, BDS, BAMS and Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) courses in government institutions.
The Gazette notification further reinforces the credibility of the initiative. Earlier, SECL Ke Sushrut had become the first and only CSR scheme of any Coal PSU to be listed on the Government of India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Portal, reflecting its strong governance framework and alignment with the Government of India’s vision of technology-driven, transparent and accountable service delivery.
Through SECL Ke Sushrut, South Eastern Coalfields Limited continues to transform the lives of talented students from mining communities by providing them access to quality medical education while contributing to India’s future healthcare workforce.
