Core sector output grows 11% in August
The Hindu
The August output was 3.9% higher than pre-COVID levels.
Output from India’s eight core sectors accelerated for thein August, rising 11.6%, compared to a 6.9% contraction recorded a year ago, with four sectors registering strong double-digit growth although crude oil and fertilisers output declined.
The August output was 3.9% higher than pre-COVID levels, compared to July which recorded a 1.1% uptick above 2019 levels. Cement production jumped 36% as compared to a 14.5% contraction in August 2020, while coal and natural gas registered a 20.6% surge. Electricity and refinery products grew by 15.3% and 9.1%, and Steel output grew 5.1%.

Domestic household savings replace foreign institutional money, giving Indian markets stability but raising concerns about unequal participation and limited returns for new retail investors. Access asymmetry and unequal outcomes emerge as key challenges, making investor protection, lower fees, passive investing, and stronger governance crucial.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) should work closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other concerned government agencies, to strengthen diplomatic engagement with oil-producing countries, secure favourable investment terms and address tax and regulatory hurdles faced by public-sector enterprises (PSEs) abroad, the parliamentary committee on public undertakings (2025-26) stated in their latest report tabled Wednesday.











