India’s key infrastructure sectors recorded year-on-year output growth of 7.9% in September 2026, according to provisional data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Delhi. Growth accelerated from the revised final rate of 5.9% in August 2026 under the 2022–23 base year series.
Mining, Power and Refineries Lead Output Expansion
Six core industries recorded positive year-on-year growth in September 2026. Iron Ore led with an increase of 18.4%, followed by Electricity at 11.4%, Coal at 10.7%, Refinery Products at 10.3%, Cement at 9.8% and Steel at 4.9%.
Fertilizers, Natural Gas and Crude Oil recorded negative year-on-year growth during the month. Coal, Refinery Products, Steel and Iron Ore remained the key contributors to overall growth in the Index of Core Industries (ICI).
Cumulative Growth and August Index Revisions
For April–September 2026, the provisional cumulative growth rate of the core industries stood at 5.1%, compared with 2.5% during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
The government also revised August 2026 production figures. The final index increased to 120.4 from the earlier provisional estimate of 119.2. Consequently, the year-on-year growth rate for August was revised upward to 5.9% from the initial estimate of 4.8%.
Data Portal and Upcoming Release Schedule
According to the scheduled release calendar, provisional core industry figures are generally published on the 20th of the following month or the next working day. The provisional Index of Core Industries data for October 2026 is scheduled for release on Friday, 20 November 2026.
Q1. What was the Index of Core Industries growth rate in September 2026?
India's Index of Core Industries recorded provisional year-on-year growth of 7.9% in September 2026.
Q2. Which core industries recorded positive growth in September 2026?
Iron Ore (18.4%), Electricity (11.4%), Coal (10.7%), Refinery Products (10.3%), Cement (9.8%) and Steel (4.9%) recorded positive year-on-year growth.
Q3. Which core industries recorded negative growth in September 2026?
Fertilizers, Natural Gas and Crude Oil recorded negative year-on-year growth.
Q4. How was the August 2026 core industry index revised?
The final index for August 2026 was revised upward to 120.4 from the provisional estimate of 119.2. The annual growth rate was revised from 4.8% to 5.9%.
Q5. What was the cumulative core sector growth from April to September 2026?
Cumulative growth stood at 5.1%, compared with 2.5% during the corresponding period of the previous year.
Q6. When will the October 2026 core industry data be released?
The provisional Index of Core Industries data for October 2026 is scheduled for release on Friday, 20 November 2026.
