Eight core industries grow 1.7%, cement rises

New Delhi

The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew by 1.7% in June 2025 compared to June 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday. The core sectors include Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity. Together, they make up about 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Steel, cement, and refinery products showed significant growth in June. Steel production rose by 9.3%, and its cumulative growth from April to June 2025 was 7.0%. Cement production increased by 9.2% in June, with an 8.4% rise for the first quarter of the year. Petroleum refinery products grew by 3.4% in June but remained steady overall from April to June compared to the previous year.

The overall growth rate of the ICI for May 2025 was 1.2%, and the cumulative growth for April to June 2025 stood at 1.3% (provisional). However, electricity generation declined by 2.8% in June and dropped 2.0% in the April-June period compared to the previous year.

The Index of Eight Core Industries tracks the performance of key sectors critical to India’s industrial growth and economy. The latest data shows a positive trend in most industries, with some challenges remaining in electricity generation.