Core Sector Growth Hits 7.9% in September; Iron Ore, Power Lead
Image: Representative image / PTI
India’s eight core industries grew 7.9% in September 2026 from a year earlier, up from 3.1% in September 2025, according to data the Commerce and Industry Ministry released on Wednesday, 21 October. The government’s Index of Core Industries covers coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity. Iron ore posted the fastest rise among the sectors reported, at 18.4%.
Power, Coal and Cement Pull the Index Up
Electricity output rose 11.4% in September and coal 10.7%. Refinery products grew 10.3%, cement 9.8% and steel 4.9%, according to reports on the release by PTI and Business Today.
Three sectors shrank. Fertiliser output fell 11.7%, natural gas 4.6% and crude oil 1.4%. The release does not explain the declines.
August Revised Up to 5.9%
The final figure for August was 5.9%, revised from the provisional 4.8%, with the August index moving from 119.2 to 120.4. Across April to September 2026, core output grew 5.1%, against 2.5% in the same months last year.
Cumulatively, iron ore is up 21.2% this year, electricity 10.2% and cement 10.1%. Coal is down 1% over the six months despite its September rise, and crude oil is down 3.7%.
October Data Due Next Month
The index for October will be released in November. Readers following the markets can also see IPB’s reports on Wednesday’s Sensex fall and the RBI treasury bill auction.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry release (PIB). Also based on reporting by ThePrint (PTI) and Business Today.
Image: Representative image.
