The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose by 6.3% in August on a year-on-year basis, according to government data. The production of steel, coal, cement, fertilizers, electricity, and petroleum refinery products recorded positive growth.
Coal production registered strong growth of 11.4% in August 2025 compared to August 2024. However, its cumulative index for April–August 2025-26 showed a marginal decline of 0.7% over the same period last year.
Crude oil production contracted by 1.2% in August 2025, with its cumulative index also slipping by 1.7%. Similarly, natural gas output fell by 2.2% year-on-year in August, with the cumulative index declining by 2.5%.
Petroleum refinery products posted a growth of 3.0% in August and a modest cumulative rise of 0.4%.
Fertilizer production increased by 4.6% in August but recorded a cumulative decline of 0.8%.
Steel production witnessed the sharpest rise, surging 14.2% in August and 10.4% cumulatively. Cement output also grew by 6.1% in August, with its cumulative index up 8.4% over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Electricity generation increased by 3.1% in August 2025 compared to August 2024, while its cumulative index rose by 0.5% during April–August 2025-26 over the same period last year.