Index of eight core industries grows at three-month high of 1.7% in June

The Index of Eight Core Industries grew at 1.7% in June 2025, as compared to 5% in June last year. The growth in June this year, while a three-month high, is significantly below the average growth of 6.3% the index saw in 2024-25. Five out of the eight sectors contracted in June 2025. 

The data, released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday (July 21, 2025), showed that the coal sector saw the largest contraction while the steel and cement sectors saw the strongest growth.

The coal sector contracted 6.8% in June 2025, down from a growth of 2.8% in May 2025, and a 14.8% growth in June 2024. The crude oil sector contracted 1.2% in June this year, compared to a contraction of 1.8% in May 2025, and a contraction of 2.6% in June last year.

Similarly, the natural gas sector contracted 2.8% in June 2025, compared to a 3.6% contraction in May 2025, and a 3.3% growth in June 2024. The electricity sector contracted 2.8%, compared with a 4.7% contraction in May 2025. 

The three sectors that witnessed growth in June 2025 were steel, cement, and refinery products. The steel sector grew at 9.3% in June, up from 7.4% in May, and 6.3% in June last year. The cement sector grew at 9.2% in June, down from 9.6% in May, and 1.8% in June 2024.

The refinery products sector grew at 3.4% in June, up from 1.1% in May, and a contraction of 1.5% in June 2024.