India is set to host Bharat Steel 2026, a two-day international conference-cum-exhibition on 16–17 April at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organised by the Ministry of Steel, the event will focus on the future of steelmaking, with emphasis on digitalisation, research and development, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. The summit comes at a time when global trade fragmentation, economic volatility and net-zero commitments are reshaping industrial policy worldwide.
Strategic Importance of Steel
Steel remains central to India’s infrastructure and industrial growth. It supports construction, highways, railways, defence, housing and energy projects. India has already emerged as the world’s second-largest steel producer. The sector is also viewed as vital to the country’s ambition of becoming a $5 trillion economy.
Production and Capacity Targets
The government has set ambitious targets for the sector.
- 300 million tonnes of steel production capacity by 2030.
- 500 million tonnes of steel production capacity by 2047.
- Greater focus on raw material security and logistics efficiency.
- Reduced dependence on imported coking coal.
Officials have stressed that capacity expansion must be supported by predictable regulation, modernisation and stronger domestic supply chains.
Green Steel and Technology Push
A major theme of the summit will be green steel. The Steel Ministry’s Green Steel Roadmap, released in 2024, marks green hydrogen trials, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, higher scrap use, and direct electrolysis-based production. The event is also expected to showcase robotics, IoT-based monitoring and AI-driven process optimisation to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Policy and Industry Outlook
The Production Linked Incentive scheme for specialty steel is expected to support a shift from commodity-grade output to high-value steel used in aerospace, defence and automotive sectors. Bharat Steel 2026 will also explore international joint ventures, research partnerships and low-emission export opportunities. More than 700 delegates, including policymakers, industry leaders, startups, investors and technology firms, are expected to participate.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026