April core sector output rises 6.2% as electricity, steel buoy

April 2023 sees 6% growth in eight core sectors, contributing 40.27% to India's Index of Industrial Production.

Eight key infrastructure sectors' growth rose to 6.2% in April on healthy expansion in the production of natural gas, refinery products and electricity, according to official data released on Friday.

The production of eight sectors grew by 6% in March.

The growth of these core sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity — was 4.6% in April 2023.

The official data showed that fertiliser output recorded negative growth in April.

The production growth of coal, steel and cement slowed down to 7.5%, 7.1% and 0.6%, respectively against 9.1%, 16.6% and 12.4% in April 2023, respectively.

The eight core sectors contribute 40.27% to the country's Index of Industrial Production (IIP).