Core Sector Growth Plummets to 0.5% in May 2026

India's eight core industrial sectors recorded a sluggish growth of 0.5% in May 2026, the second lowest in 21 months. Five sectors, including crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, and coal, contracted significantly due to higher imports and international price softening. However, electricity and cement registered positive growth. This industrial deceleration poses challenges for macroeconomic stability and underscores the need to address domestic production efficiency.