India’s Core Industrial Growth — 7.9% in September 2026

Why Is It in News?

According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 21 October 2026, India's Index of Core Industries grew by 7.9% in September 2026, compared with 5.9% in August 2026.

About

The Index of Core Industries (ICI) measures changes in production across eight major infrastructure-related industries in India. These industries play a significant role in industrial activity and are important inputs for the broader economy.

The index covers coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity. The combined weight of these eight industries is 40.27% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Key Points

1. Indicator: Index of Core Industries (ICI).
2. Reference month: September 2026.
3. Growth rate: 7.9% year-on-year, provisional.
4. Released by: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
5. Release date: 21 October 2026.
6. Base year: 2022–23.
7. Previous month: Core sector growth was revised to 5.9% for August 2026.
8. Fastest-growing sector: Iron ore, at 18.4%.
9. Other sectors with positive growth:
10. Electricity: 11.4%.
11. Coal: 10.7%.
12. Refinery products: 10.3%.
13. Cement: 9.8%.
14. Steel: 4.9%.
15. Sectors recording negative growth: Fertilisers, natural gas and crude oil.
16. Cumulative growth: The index grew by 5.1% during April–September 2026, compared with 2.5% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
17. Eight core industries: Coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity.
18. Economic significance: Core sector growth provides an important indication of infrastructure and industrial activity and can influence the broader Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
19. Next release: The provisional index for October 2026 was scheduled for release on 20 November 2026.