India's Core Sector Growth Remains Steady at 4.6% in Jan

Higher output in cement, refinery products, coal, steel, fertilizers, electricity drove growth

- Dhirendra Kumar

India's infrastructure output, which accounts for about two-fifths of industrial production, grew at 4.6% in January, slightly lower than 4.8% in December. The growth was driven by increased production in cement, refinery products, coal, steel, fertilizers, and electricity.

Cement production saw the highest expansion, rising by 14.5%, while petroleum refinery output increased by 8.3%.

As per data released by the ministry of commerce and industry, core sector growth in January showed a significant improvement from 2.4% in September, 3.8% in October and 4.4% in November. In the same month a year ago, the growth rate stood at 4.2%.

The cumulative growth rate of the eight core industries for the April-January period of 2024-25 stood at 4.4%, significantly lower than the 7.8% recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year.