Why in the News
- Government data shows growth in the Index of Eight Core Industries slowed sharply to 2.3% in February 2026, a three-month low.
What are Core Sectors
- Eight industries with high weight in IIP: Coal, Crude oil, Natural gas, Refinery products, Fertilisers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity
Key Findings
1. Sharp Slowdown
- Growth declined from 4.7% (January) → 2.3% (February)
- Broad-based slowdown across sectors
2. Best Performing Sectors
- Cement: 9.3% growth (though slowing)
- Steel: 7.2% growth
3. Weak Performing Sectors
- Crude oil: –5.2% (6th month of decline)
- Natural gas: –5% (20th month of decline)
- Refinery products: –1%
- Electricity: 0.5% (low growth)
- Coal: 2.3% (slowed)
| [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 |
