---
source: Office of the Economic Adviser (India)
url: https://eaindustry.nic.in/eight_core_infra/Eight_Infra.pdf
document_type: pdf
date_retrieved: 2026-04-20
period: March 2026
parent_publication: Index of Eight Core Industries
indicators_covered: [Infrastructure Output YoY, Index of Eight Core Industries]
---

# Index of Eight Core Industries (Base Year: 2011-12=100) — March 2026

**Release Date:** April 20, 2026  
**Authority:** Government of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Office of the Economic Adviser, New Delhi

---

## Executive Summary

The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) **declined by 0.4 per cent (provisional)** in March 2026 compared to March 2025.

The final growth rate for February 2026 was **2.8 per cent**.  
Cumulative growth for April 2025 – March 2026 (FY 2025-26 provisional) is **2.6 per cent** compared to the previous financial year.

---

## Sectoral Breakdown (March 2026 YoY)

| Sector | Weight | Growth Rate | Commentary |
|--------|--------|-------------|------------|
| Coal | 10.33% | **−4.0%** | Decrease; cumulative −0.5% (Apr–Mar) |
| Crude Oil | 8.98% | **−5.7%** | Decrease; cumulative −2.8% |
| Natural Gas | 6.88% | **+6.4%** | Increase; cumulative −2.8% |
| Refinery Products | 28.04% | **+0.1%** | Flat; cumulative −0.1% |
| Fertilizers | 2.63% | **−24.6%** | Sharp drop; cumulative −0.1% |
| Steel | 17.92% | **+2.2%** | Increase; cumulative +9.1% |
| Cement | 5.37% | **+4.0%** | Increase; cumulative +8.6% |
| Electricity | 19.85% | **−0.5%** | Decrease; cumulative +0.9% |

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## Methodology Notes

- **Base year:** 2011-12 = 100
- **Data status:** February 2026 data is **final**; March 2026 data is **provisional**.
- **Coverage:** The Eight Core Industries constitute 40.27% of the weight of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
- **Next release:** Index for April 2026 to be published on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

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## Verification Against Payload

| Field | Payload Value | Document Value | Match |
|-------|---------------|----------------|-------|
| `actual` (March YoY) | −0.4% | −0.4% (provisional) | ✓ |
| `previous` (Feb final) | 2.8% | 2.8% (final) | ✓ |
| `period` | Mar 2026 | March, 2026 | ✓ |
| `referenceDate` | 2026-03-31 | March 2026 (monthly) | ✓ |

All payload values are present and verified in source text.