New Delhi, June 24 -- India's core sector growth slowed sharply to 0.5 percent in May 2026, marking the second-lowest expansion in 21 months and highlighting emerging pressures on domestic economic activity amid global uncertainties and weakening demand conditions. Eight Core Industries Hold Significant Weight According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew 0.5 percent year-on-year in May, down from the revised growth rate of 1.8 percent recorded in April. The cumulative growth of the core sector during April-May FY27 stood at 1.1 percent compared with the corresponding period of the previous financial year. The eight core industries, coal, crude oil, natural gas,...