New Delhi, June 22: India’s eight core industries have recorded a slowdown as the production of coal, crude oil and petroleum refinery products dipped in May, according to the official government data.
The index of eight core industries (ICI) increased by just 0.5 per cent in May 2026, compared to the final growth rate of 1.8 per cent in the preceding month.
Coal production decreased by 9.3 per cent in May 2026 over May 2025, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Its cumulative index declined by 9.1 per cent during April to May 2026-27 over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Crude oil production declined by 4.6 per cent in May 2026 over May 2025. Its cumulative index declined by 4.2 per cent during April to May 2026-27 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Natural gas production declined by 4.9 per cent in May 2026 over May 2025.
The ministry said its cumulative index declined by 4.5 per cent during April to May 2026-27 on a year-on-year basis.
Petroleum refinery production declined by 8.7 per cent in May 2026 on a year-on-year basis. Its cumulative index declined by 4.7 per cent during April to May 2026-27 on-year.
Fertiliser production declined by 0.9 per cent in May 2026 on-year. The ministry noted that its cumulative index declined by 4.5 per cent during April to May 2026-27.
Steel production increased by 5 per cent in May 2026 over May 2025. Electricity generation increased by 8.7 during the same period.
Since April 2014, electricity generation data from renewable sources has also been included.
Since March 2019, a new steel product called Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled (HRPO) under the item ‘Cold Rolled (CR) coils’ within the production of finished steel has also been included, the official statement added. (BVI)
