Recent research by the National Foundation for India (NFI) finds that as India advances towards lessening its reliance on coal, health risks and economic instability loom big for marginalised populations. According to the paper, long-term exposure to contaminants from coal mining has resulted in chronic respiratory and skin disorders in 75% of focus group members. Significant employment losses are also anticipated as a result of the shift away from coal, with the most impacted areas being those that depend on the mining and processing of coal. In addition to miners and associated jobs, the local economies that have grown up around the coal sector will also be impacted by the economic slump. Marginalised communities, particularly Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), are the most affected, with 41.5% of surveyed households belonging to OBCs, 23% to STs, and 17% to SCs. These groups already face barriers such as limited access to education, with many individuals having only primary education or no literacy at all, which complicates their transition to alternative employment opportunities. Pooja Gupta, co-author of the study and a research associate at NFI, highlighted the economic disparities observed during the research. She mentioned that in regions heavily reliant on coal production, there were significantly lower incomes compared to districts with more diversified industrial bases. Gupta also noted the inadequate access to basic welfare schemes, which she argued worsens the vulnerability of these communities amidst economic changes. According to Biraj Patnaik, Executive Director of NFI, the study uncovered stark inequalities in access to education and employment opportunities among marginalised communities in regions dependent on coal. He emphasised the need for targeted policy interventions, stating that there should be specific policies tailored to each community and robust institutional mechanisms in place. Patnaik emphasised the importance of mitigating the socio-economic impacts of transitioning away from coal on these populations. The NFI report supports the development of alternative livelihoods, initiatives for ecological restoration, and the implementation of inclusive policies to ensure an equitable transition for all stakeholders involved.