Eight core industries index falls 0.4% in March 2026; FY 2025–26 growth at 2.6%
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries fell 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026 from a year earlier, with cumulative growth of 2.6% in FY 2025–26, the Commerce Ministry said on 20 April 2026.
Summary
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) declined 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026 compared with March 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 20 April 2026. Fertilizers (down 24.6%), crude oil (down 5.7%), coal (down 4.0%) and electricity (down 0.5%) contracted, while natural gas grew 6.4%, cement 4.0% and steel 2.2%. Cumulative growth for April–March 2025–26 was 2.6% (provisional), and the final February 2026 figure was 2.8%. The eight core industries — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity — make up 40.27% of the weight of items in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP); refinery products carry the largest weight at 28.04%.
Key facts
- March 2026
- −0.4% (provisional)
- FY 2025–26
- +2.6% cumulative (provisional)
- Biggest fall
- Fertilizers −24.6%
- Growth
- Natural gas +6.4%, cement +4.0%, steel +2.2%
- Weight in IIP
- 40.27%
- Largest weight
- Refinery products 28.04%; electricity 19.85%; steel 17.92%
Practice MCQs 3 questions
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries change in March 2026 compared with March 2025 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: C — Fell 0.4%
The ICI declined 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026; 2.6% is the FY 2025–26 cumulative growth.
Which of the eight core industries carries the largest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: B — Petroleum refinery products
Refinery products have the largest weight at 28.04%, followed by electricity (19.85%) and steel (17.92%).
Consider the following statements about the Index of Eight Core Industries: 1. The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production. 2. In March 2026, fertilizer production recorded the steepest decline among the eight industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the core industries make up 40.27% of IIP weight, and fertilizers fell 24.6% in March 2026, the sharpest decline.