Ministry releases provisional Eight Core Industries Index showing 0.4% decline in March 2026 compared to previous year.
Fertilizers production plummeted 24.6%, while Coal, Crude Oil, and Electricity also recorded negative growth.
Cumulative growth for April 2025-March 2026 period stands at 2.6%, with Steel and Cement showing strongest performance.
The index carries 40.27% weight in IIP, serving as a key leading indicator for industrial production.