Business

India’s Core Sector Growth Accelerates to 7.9% in September on Strong Coal, Power and Iron Ore Output

Published: 21 October 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

India’s core infrastructure sectors grew 7.9% year-on-year in September 2026, up from a revised 5.9% in August and 3.1% a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Iron ore output rose 18.4%, electricity generation 11.4%, coal production 10.7%, and refinery products 10.3%, while cement and steel output also increased. Fertiliser, natural gas and crude oil production contracted during the month.

Key Takeaways

The core sector accounts for a significant share of India’s industrial activity and is a closely watched indicator of economic momentum. September’s acceleration was driven primarily by mining, power and energy-related industries, while weakness persisted in fertilisers, natural gas and crude oil.

Sources

Deccan Herald, Business Today, LiveMint