India's industrial production, as calculated by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), grew in March 2025 by a marginal percentage, reaching a rate of 3 per cent from the rate of 2.9 per cent in February, as per statistics released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday.
The manufacturing sector—driver of the creation of quality employment for the country's young graduates and engineers—posted a 3 per cent rise in production last March compared to the same month last year.
Of the basic industries, power generation performed best with an expansion of 6.3 per cent, while mining activity lagged, rising only 0.4 per cent during the month.
Out of the 23 groups of manufacturing industries, 13 have shown growth on a year-on-year basis in March. The largest contribution to this growth has been contributed by the following industries: "Manufacture of basic metals" (6.9 per cent), "Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers" (10.3 per cent), and "Manufacture of electrical equipment" (15.7 per cent), according to the official release.
In the "Manufacture of basic metals" industry, top-class performances were given by items like Flat products of Alloy Steel, Pipes and tubes of Steel, and Bars and Rods of Mild Steel.
Likewise, in "Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers," top-class performances were recorded in items like Auto components/spares and accessories, Axle, and Bodies of trucks, lorries and trailers.
The "Manufacture of electrical equipment" group posted significant increases, driven by increased production of items like Electric heaters, Small transformers, and End facing connectors for optical fibres and cables.
On an use-based classification, production of capital goods—plant and machinery used in the process of manufacturing activities—grew by 2.4 per cent during March. It is a critical leading indicator of investment activity within the economy with positive ripple effects on employment as well as generation of income.
Consumer durables, including electronics, television sets, and refrigerators, registered a strong 6.6 per cent expansion, indicating rising consumer demand proportionate to improving household incomes.
Also, construction materials and infrastructure noted a sharp 8.8 per cent increase, thanks to massive government-supported infrastructure works in the road, rail, and port sectors.
The Ministry report also emphasized that, in terms of use-based classification, construction/materials/infrastructure, primary products, and consumer durables were the first three in the IIP growth of March.
Read also| RBI Governor: India’s Rapid Growth Makes It the Ideal Investment Hub
Read also| India's Domestic Air Travel Soars with 10.35% Annual Growth in FY25
