New Delhi, March 20 -- The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 2.3 per cent (provisional) in February 2026 as compared to the Index in February 2025.

As per a press release by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the production of Cement, Steel, Fertilisers, Coal and Electricity recorded positive growth in February 2026.

The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries, viz. coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

"The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for January 2026 was...