Infra output: Eight core sectors grow 1.8% in November; cement and steel lift momentum as energy drags
Eight core infrastructure industries recorded a modest expansion in November 2025, with overall output rising 1.8% year-on-year, supported by strong growth in cement, steel, fertilisers and coal, official data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry showed.The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), which accounts for 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), improved from a marginal contraction of 0.1% recorded in October 2025. Cumulative growth during April–November 2025-26 stood at 2.4% on a provisional basis.Cement emerged as the strongest performer during the month, posting a sharp 14.5% rise over November last year, while steel output increased 6.1%. Fertiliser production grew 5.6% and coal output rose 2.1%, providing the main boost to overall core sector growth.
In contrast, energy-linked segments continued to weigh on performance. Crude oil production declined 3.2% year-on-year, while natural gas output fell 2.5%. Electricity generation also contracted by 2.2% during the month. Petroleum refinery products saw a marginal decline of 0.9%.On a cumulative basis, steel output expanded 9.7% during April–November, while cement grew 8.2%. Fertilisers posted a 1.3% increase and refinery products edged up 0.2% over the same period. Coal, crude oil, natural gas and electricity recorded cumulative declines.The eight core industries comprise coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity, and are widely tracked as key indicators of industrial and infrastructure activity in the economy, the ministry said. The index is released every month.
