India’s steel sector recorded steady growth in the first half of FY 2026-27, with crude steel production rising 2.9% year-on-year to 85.1 million tonnes (Mt) and finished steel consumption increasing 7.5% to 84.9 Mt, according to the Ministry of Steel. The data covers April-September 2026 and was released by PIB Delhi on October 6, 2026.
Steel production and prices rise
Finished steel production reached 81.8 Mt during April-September 2026, up 3.7% from 78.8 Mt in the corresponding period last year. Hot metal production rose 2.5% to 48.3 Mt, while September crude steel production stood at 14.1 Mt, compared with 13.7 Mt a year earlier.
Steel prices also increased sharply in September. The average price of 10 mm TMT rose to Rs 65,298 per tonne, up 12.6% month-on-month and 21% year-on-year. HR Coil prices rose 8% month-on-month to Rs 76,085, while CR Coil increased 11.1% to Rs 84,972 and GP Sheet rose 8.6% to Rs 94,148.
Consumption rises, imports remain higher than exports
Finished steel consumption stood at 14.4 Mt in September 2026, up 8% year-on-year. For April-September, consumption was 84.9 Mt compared with 79.0 Mt in the same period last year.
India imported 4.14 million tonnes of finished steel during April-September 2026, up 23.8% year-on-year. Imports were valued at Rs 43,690.1 crore, up 40%. Exports increased 26.2% to 3.55 million tonnes, with their value rising 28.9% to Rs 28,263.7 crore. India remained a net importer of finished steel in quantity terms during the period.
Steel safety and green initiatives expand
The Ministry of Steel has decided to establish a Steel Industry Safety Council, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel. A dedicated Steel Industry Safety Directorate will support safety audits, investigations and industry-specific safety standards.
The ministry also said 101 distinct steel producers had received Green Steel Certificates under the Green Steel Initiative through September 2026. Separately, Jadavpur University, along with SAIL, DVC and HURL, is setting up an Rs 8.18-crore Centre of Excellence for green hydrogen research.
Q1. How much did India’s crude steel production grow in H1 FY 2026-27?
India’s crude steel production rose 2.9% year-on-year to 85.1 Mt during April-September 2026.
Q2. How much did finished steel consumption increase?
Finished steel consumption increased 7.5% year-on-year to 84.9 Mt during April-September 2026.
Q3. Was India a net importer of finished steel?
Yes. India was a net importer of finished steel in quantity terms during April-September 2026.
Q4. How many steel producers received Green Steel Certificates?
A total of 101 distinct steel producers had received Green Steel Certificates across the lists issued through September 2026.
Q5. What safety initiative did the Ministry of Steel announce?
The Ministry of Steel decided to establish a Steel Industry Safety Council, supported by a dedicated Steel Industry Safety Directorate.
