Overview
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released data on Wednesday showing the revamped Index of Core Industries expanded 7.9% year‑on‑year in September 2026.
- Iron ore led gains with an 18.4% rise while electricity grew 11.4%, coal 10.7%, refinery products 10.3%, cement 9.8% and steel 4.9%.
- Three sectors contracted in September: fertiliser output fell 11.7%, natural gas dropped 4.6% and crude oil fell 1.4%.
- August’s ICI reading was revised up to 120.4, boosting that month’s growth to 5.9%, and the cumulative April–September expansion stands at 5.1% versus 2.5% a year earlier.
- The index uses a 2022–23 base and adds iron ore as a ninth sector; the September figures are provisional and the next release for October is scheduled for November 20, 2026.