India’s core industries show fresh momentum as April growth rises to 1.7%

New Delhi: Growth in India’s eight core industries quickened marginally to 1.7% in April 2026, up from 1.2% in March, according to official data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The eight core sectors include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity. Together they make up 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Notably, the ministry also revised March 2026 growth significantly upward. The final figure now stands at 1.2%, compared to the preliminary estimate of a 0.4% contraction reported last month. The upward revision for March and the modest pickup in April point to more resilient industrial activity than initially estimated.

Economists said the core sector data will support IIP growth for the start of FY27. Sector-wise details for April are expected to be released with the detailed ICI report. The core sector index tracks output trends in key infrastructure industries and is seen as a lead indicator for overall industrial performance.