Overview
- Government data show the eight-sector index was flat year over year in October after a revised 3.3% rise in September.
- Sharp declines in coal (-8.5%), electricity (-7.6%), crude oil (-1.2%) and natural gas (-5%) offset gains in steel (+6.7%), cement (+5.3%), fertiliser (+7.4%) and refinery products (+4.6%).
- Cumulative growth for April–October slowed to 2.5% from a revised 4.3% in the year-earlier period.
- The core index covers eight industries that account for about 40% of India’s overall industrial production, making it a key gauge for momentum.
- ICRA’s Aditi Nayar cited weather-related disruptions to mining and power and expects October’s industrial output growth to ease, with official IIP data due on November 28.