India's core sector growth slows down to 2.3 per cent in February 2026

Growth of India's core industries slowed to 2.3 per cent in February driven by crude oil, natural gas and petroleum refinery products, as compared to 4.7 per cent in January 2026, as per government data released on Friday.

The index, ⁠which tracks ‌activity across eight core ⁠sectors and makes up 40% of the country's industrial ‌production, grew at a ⁠revised 4.7% year-on-year in January.

Also read: India’s forex reserves fall $7.05 billion to $709.76 billion as of March 13


The industries in focus include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity.

Global energy supplies are facing turbulence amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, impact of which will be potentially visible in the macro-statistics of March.

Coal production increased by 2.3 per cent year-on-year last month. Its cumulative index remained unchanged at 185.8 during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Crude Oil production declined by 5.2 per cent yoy in February. Its cumulative index also declined by 2.5 per cent during April to February period

Natural Gas production declined by 5.0 per cent yoy last month. Its cumulative index also declined by 3.5 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Petroleum Refinery production declined by 1.0 per cent yoy in February. Its cumulative index declined by 0.1 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Fertilizer production increased by 3.4 per cent yoy last month. Its cumulative index increased by 2.0 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Steel production increased by 7.2 per cent yoy in February. Its cumulative index increased by 9.7 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Cement production increased by 9.3 per cent yoy last month. Its cumulative index increased by 9.2 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Electricity generation increased by 0.5 per cent yoy in February. Its cumulative index increased by 0.9 per cent during April to February, 2025-26 over corresponding period of the previous year.