Key infrastructure sectors’ growth hits 13-month high of 6.3% in August

India’s eight key infrastructure sectors’ growth jumped to a 13-month high of 6.3% in August 2025 on account of expansion in coal, steel, and cement production, according to official data released on Monday (September 22, 2025).

The core sectors’ output growth was 3.7% in the previous month of July. It was (-) 1.5% in August last year.

Earlier, the similar pace of growth at 6.3% was recorded in July 2024.

During April-August of this fiscal year, the eight infrastructure sectors expanded by 2.8%, compared to a rise of 4.6% in the same period last year.

Coal, steel, and cement production rose to 11.4%, 14.2% and 6.1%, respectively, during August, the data showed.

Refinery products, fertiliser, and electricity output rose by 3%, 4.6% and 3.1%, respectively, during the month under review.

However, crude oil and natural gas output recorded a negative growth.

Commenting on the data, Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA, said, aided by a low base, the year-on-year growth in core output expectedly improved to a 13-month high.

ICRA expects the IIP (index of industrial production) growth to print at 4.5% to 5.5% in August, particularly aided by a turnaround in the performance of mining output, which has seen a contraction in every month during April-July 2025.