Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rises 0.5% in May 2026

📌 Summary:

• The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew 0.5% (provisional) in May 2026 over May 2025
• Positive growth in Steel (+5.0%), Cement (+8.4%) and Electricity (+8.7%)
• Decline in Coal (-9.3%), Crude Oil (-4.6%), Natural Gas (-4.9%), Refinery Products (-8.7%) and Fertilizers (-0.9%)
• Final ICI growth for April 2026 was 1.8%; cumulative growth for April–May 2026-27 stands at 1.1% (provisional)
• The eight core industries are Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity, together making up 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
• Highest weights: Refinery Products (28.04%), Electricity (19.85%), Steel (17.92%); electricity data includes renewable generation since April 2014

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (industrial growth indicators, infrastructure sector health). The ICI is a lead indicator for the IIP and signals momentum in core/infrastructure industries.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• ICI base year is 2011-12 = 100; compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• The eight core industries account for 40.27% of the IIP weight
• Petroleum Refinery Products carry the highest weight (28.04%) in the ICI

🔑 Key Term: Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) — a monthly production index of eight key infrastructure industries that acts as a lead indicator for the broader Index of Industrial Production.