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The state-run miner said its January-March net profit rose to 54.14 billion rupees ($974 million) from 40.13 billion rupees a year earlier. Net sales rose 2.5 percent to 199.05 billion rupees.
On an average, analysts had forecast a net profit of 49.97 billion rupees, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine data. The company's financial year ended on March 31.