India’s eight core industries grew by 2 per cent in July 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Wednesday. The growth was driven by higher production of steel, cement, fertilisers, and electricity.
The eight core industries, which include coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity, account for 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), serving as a key indicator of overall industrial growth.
Steel production, which carries the highest weight of 17.92 per cent in the index, posted a strong 12.8 per cent growth in July, supported by rising demand from major government infrastructure projects. Cement production increased by 11.7 per cent, reflecting growth in construction and large-scale infrastructure activities. Fertiliser production rose by 2 per cent, aided by a healthy kharif sowing season following good monsoon rains. Electricity generation edged up 0.5 per cent during the month.
However, some sectors recorded declines. Coal production fell by 12.3 per cent due to heavy monsoon rains. Crude oil and natural gas production declined by 1.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively, while petroleum refinery output dropped by 1 per cent.
The cumulative growth of the eight core industries for April to July 2025-26 stood at 1.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Steel and cement also showed strong cumulative growth during this period, rising 8.5 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively.
The final growth rate of the core industries for June 2025 was 2.2 per cent, underscoring a steady industrial performance in the early months of the current fiscal year.
-IANS