Iron and Steel Under CCTS: 255 Plants, Draft Targets Explained
255 iron and steel plants are set to join India's CCTS. See the draft targets, a five-plant comparison, the timeline and why year one is the hard one.
India's iron and steel sector is the biggest addition to the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): 255 units with a combined FY2023-24 baseline of 358.6 MtCO₂e. As of 22 October 2026, the targets are still a draft (G.S.R. 517(E), 26 June 2026). No final notification has been published.
How Steel Got Here
The first draft came in June 2025. When other sectors were finalised in January 2026, steel was left out. A revised draft followed on 26 June 2026 with a 60-day objection window, which has closed.
Draft Targets: The Five-Plant Pattern
| Plant | Baseline (tCO₂e/t) | FY2026-27 Target | Cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM/NS India, Hazira | 2.2701 | 2.1695 | 4.4% |
| SAIL Rourkela | 2.9509 | 2.7809 | 5.8% |
| RINL Visakhapatnam | 2.9781 | 2.8050 | 5.8% |
| SAIL Bhilai | 3.1487 | 2.9551 | 6.1% |
| SAIL Bokaro | 3.2056 | 3.0050 | 6.3% |
Across all 255 units, cuts range from 2.1% to 9.3%, with a median of about 5.5% (Down To Earth). But a bigger cut doesn't close the gap: Bokaro's target is still about 39% above Hazira's. Each plant is measured against its own past (why CCTS uses intensity, not a cap), and plants use different routes and products, so this is not a performance league table.
Why Year One Is Hard for Steel
Other sectors practised on the easier FY2025-26 target. Steel walks straight into FY2026-27, which began on 1 April 2026 (how the CCTS delays played out). As of 22 October 2026, no CCC has traded yet, so there's no market price to plan against, and a shortfall costs 2× the average CCC price.
What Steel Plants Should Do Now
- Compare your printed baseline with your own FY2023-24 production and emissions records.
- Start monthly monitoring now. Half of FY2026-27 is already gone.
- Line up a verifier: 9 ACVAs list iron and steel; only one holds a final accreditation.
- Check whether an EAF on clean power could make you a credit seller: Green Steel in India.
- Model your exposure with Carbon Risk Profiling.
How International Carbon Trade Helps
ICT does not set or verify targets. We help steel plants get baseline and monitoring data verification-ready with our dMRV platform, connect them with sector-accredited ACVAs, and prepare for CCC trading on power exchanges.
Free draft-target check: email your steel unit's name or registration code to contact@internationalcarbontrade.com for your draft baseline, target and gap.
Keep Reading
- Green Steel in India: EAF Plants, Clean Power and Carbon Credits
- ACVA List India 2026: 18 Carbon Verifiers Under CCTS
- Is CCTS Cap and Trade? Intensity Targets, Zero Credits, Banking
Our CCTS Services
International Carbon Trade (ICT) is an India-based CCTS marketplace and dMRV platform offering 18 end-to-end services, from BEE ICM Portal registration and ACVA verification to buying, selling and banking CCCs on India's power exchanges.
| Register and Set Up | Monitor, Verify, File | Trade and Plan |
|---|---|---|
| BEE ICM Portal registration | dMRV platform, monthly data | Buying CCCs on power exchanges |
| Grid-India registry account | ACVA selection and booking | Selling or banking surplus CCCs |
| IEX / PXIL / HPX onboarding | Verification evidence pack | Offset CCC sourcing |
| Monitoring plan (BEE template) | E2 form and GHG emission report | Risk profiling (AAA–B) |
| Target gap and penalty analysis | Form A and Form D filings | Abate, buy or bank strategy |
| Five-year GHG reduction plan | BEE and registry query handling | CBAM and BRSR reporting |
For any services related to CCTS, contact International Carbon Trade:
- Email: contact@internationalcarbontrade.com
- Phone: +91 90544 01707
- Website: internationalcarbontrade.com
- LinkedIn: Follow International Carbon Trade
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many steel plants are covered under CCTS?
- The draft notification G.S.R. 517(E) of 26 June 2026 lists 255 iron and steel units with a combined FY2023-24 baseline of 358.6 MtCO2e.
- Are iron and steel CCTS targets final?
- No. As of 22 October 2026 the targets are still a draft. The objection window has closed but no final notification has been published.
- What is the first compliance year for steel under CCTS?
- Steel has no FY2025-26 target in the draft, so its first target year is FY2026-27, which ends on 31 March 2027.
- How large are the steel emission cuts?
- Across the 255 units, required cuts range from about 2.1% to 9.3%, with a median of roughly 5.5%, measured against each plant's own FY2023-24 baseline.
- What happens if a steel plant misses its CCTS target?
- It must surrender Carbon Credit Certificates for the shortfall or pay environmental compensation of twice the average CCC price, payable within 90 days.
- How can ICT help steel plants with CCTS?
- International Carbon Trade offers dMRV monitoring, ACVA matching and CCC marketplace support. Contact contact@internationalcarbontrade.com or +91 90544 01707.