India’s eight core infrastructure industries recorded a 3.7 per cent growth in December 2025, driven by stronger output in cement, steel, coal, electricity and fertilisers. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose to 175.7 points from 169.4 points in the same month last year. The core sector has bearing on industrial activity, as it carries a 40.27 per cent weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Key Drivers of Growth
- Cement production rose by 13.5 per cent, the highest among all core industries.
- Steel output increased by 6.9 per cent.
- Electricity generation grew by 5.3 per cent.
- Coal production expanded by 3.6 per cent.
- Fertiliser output increased by 4.1 per cent.
Weakness in Energy Segments
- Crude oil production declined by 5.6 per cent.
- Natural gas output fell by 4.4 per cent.
- Petroleum refinery products contracted by 1.0 per cent.
- The mixed trend shows that industrial demand remained uneven across sectors.
Cumulative Performance in 2025-26
- The core sector grew by 2.6 per cent during April–December 2025-26 on a provisional basis.
- Steel production recorded strong cumulative growth of 9.5 per cent.
- Cement output rose by 8.8 per cent.
- Fertiliser production increased by 1.7 per cent.
- Coal output declined by 0.7 per cent, while crude oil and natural gas fell by 1.9 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively.
Methodology and Significance
- The December 2025 data is provisional and may be revised later.
- Electricity generation figures include renewable energy output under the revised methodology adopted since April 2014.
- The core sector is a key indicator of industrial momentum, infrastructure demand and overall economic activity.
- The release of the ICI for January 2026 is scheduled for 20 February 2026.