Why in the News?
Growth in India’s eight core industries increased to 1.7% in April 2026, mainly driven by strong performance in the steel and cement sectors.
What are Core Sectors?
The eight core industries are:
- Coal
- Crude oil
- Natural gas
- Refinery products
- Fertilisers
- Steel
- Cement
- Electricity
- These sectors together have about 40% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Key Highlights
Overall Growth
- April 2026: 1.7%
- March 2026:
- Revised upward to 1.2%
- Earlier estimated contraction: -0.4%
Sector-wise Performance
Positive Growth
Steel
- Grew by 6.2%
- Driven by higher construction and industrial activity.
Cement
- Grew by 9.4%
- Highest growth in three months.
Electricity
- Grew by 4.1%
- Three-month high.
Sectors in Contraction
Crude Oil
- Contracted by 3.9%
- Eighth consecutive month of decline.
Natural Gas
- Contracted by 4.3%
- Affected by West Asia energy crisis.
Fertilisers
- Contracted by 8.6%
- Linked to rising gas import prices.
Coal
- Output declined by 8.7%
- Second consecutive month of contraction.
Refinery Products
- Contracted by 0.5%.
[2015] In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight?
(a) Coal Production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production
