Core sector growth hits 30-month high of 7.9% in September 2026
Why in the news
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the Index of Core Industries (ICI) on 21 October 2026. Core sector output rose 7.9% in September 2026, the fastest pace in 30 months.
Key facts
- September 2026 growth: 7.9%, up from a revised 5.9% in August 2026 and 3.1% in September 2025.
- Cumulative growth: 5.1% in April-September 2026, against 2.5% in the same period of 2025.
- Breadth: six of the nine sectors recorded positive growth.
- Coal grew 10.7%, its quickest rise in 13 months, after contracting 3.8% in August.
- Natural gas output has now contracted for 27 straight months; fertilisers for seven months in a row.
Sector-wise growth, September 2026
| Sector | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron ore | 18.4 |
| Electricity | 11.4 |
| Coal | 10.7 |
| Refinery products | 10.3 |
| Cement | 9.8 |
| Steel | 4.9 |
| Crude oil | -1.4 |
| Natural gas | -4.6 |
| Fertilisers | -11.7 |
About the Index of Core Industries
The ICI tracks the output of key infrastructure industries and is released monthly by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The revised series has base year 2022-23 (earlier 2011-12) and covers nine sectors, as iron ore has been added to the original eight. Core industries account for roughly 40% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Within the index, electricity carries the largest weight (30.9%), followed by refinery products (22.6%); coal has 5.6% and iron ore 4.9%.
Exam angle
- Remember the new base year (2022-23) and the ninth sector (iron ore).
- Highest weight: electricity; fastest growth in September 2026: iron ore.
- Steepest fall: fertilisers (-11.7%).