Core sector growth accelerates to 7.9% in Sep

New Delhi: India’s key infrastructure industries recorded a 7.9 percent increase in output in September 2026, accelerating from 5.9 percent in August, supported by strong growth in iron ore, electricity, coal and refinery products.

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The expansion was also higher than the 3.1 percent recorded in September last year, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Wednesday.

Iron ore production led the growth with an 18.4 percent increase, followed by electricity at 11.4 percent. Coal output rose 10.7 percent, while refinery products registered a 10.3 percent expansion.

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Cement production grew 9.8 percent, and steel output increased 4.9 percent from a year earlier.

However, three segments recorded a contraction. Fertiliser production fell 11.7 percent, natural gas output declined 4.6 percent and crude oil production dropped 1.4 percent, the ministry said.

For April–September 2026, cumulative growth in the core sectors stood at 5.1 percent, compared with 2.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.

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