New Delhi, Aug. 20 -- The Index of Core Industries (ICI) grew 5.4 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, according to provisional estimates released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

While growth moderated from the 6 per cent recorded in June, the sector maintained a healthy pace of expansion, with cumulative growth during April-July 2026 reaching 4.3 per cent, significantly higher than the 1.5 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Iron ore recorded the strongest expansion among the eight core sectors, rising 29.5 per cent year-on-year in July. Electricity output increased 9 per cent, while cement production grew 13.1 per cent. Coal and steel output rose 7.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent, respectively, wh...