The subdued performance has been largely attributed to fewer working days during the month due to major festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath, which affected overall production levels, the ministry said in a statement.
Photo: ANI
India’s industrial output slowed sharply in October, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rising just 0.4%, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The subdued performance has been largely attributed to fewer working days during the month due to major festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath, which affected overall production levels, the ministry said in a statement.
Advertisement
The latest figure marks a significant drop from the 4% growth recorded in September 2025 and 3.5% in October 2024, signalling a broader loss of industrial momentum.
Advertisement
Use-based data reflected a mixed trend across categories. Infrastructure and construction goods emerged as the strongest performer with a 7.1% rise, followed by capital goods, which grew 2.4%, and intermediate goods, up 0.9%.
In contrast, primary goods contracted by 0.6%, while consumer durables slipped 0.5%.
The steepest decline came from consumer non-durables, which fell 4.4%, highlighting weak demand conditions.
Between April and October 2025–26, industrial output expanded by 2.7%, supported primarily by a 3.9% increase in manufacturing.
Electricity generation remained flat during the period, and the mining sector contracted by 1.9%, indicating persistent challenges in resource extraction and energy-linked industries.
The manufacturing sector grew 1.8% in October, driven by strong performances in select industries.
Basic metals led with a robust 6.6% growth, supported by higher output of hot-rolled coils, mild steel sheets and flat alloy-steel products.
The coke and refined petroleum products segment expanded 6.2%, fuelled by increased production of diesel, petrol and hard coke.
Meanwhile, the motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers category grew 5.8%, with auto parts, passenger cars and commercial vehicles contributing significantly.
Overall, the sharp slowdown in October underscores the impact of festival-related disruptions and continued uneven demand across industrial categories.
Analysts will be watching the coming months for signs of a more broad-based recovery as manufacturing and infrastructure activity stabilise.
Advertisement
