India's industrial output grows 6.7% in September as manufacturing rises 7.6%

India's Index of Industrial Production grew 6.7% year on year in September 2026, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's quick estimate. The index stood at 124.3 compared with 116.5 a year earlier.

Manufacturing, the largest component of the index, expanded 7.6% from a year earlier. Electricity and gas supply rose 11.2%, while mining and quarrying contracted 6.2%. Water supply, sewerage and waste management grew 5.8%. The headline pace was lower than the 8.0% quick estimate reported for August.

Within manufacturing, 17 of 23 two-digit industry groups recorded positive growth. Electrical equipment, motor vehicles and rubber and plastics were among the strongest contributors. On a use-based basis, capital goods grew 10.4%, intermediate goods 12.2%, infrastructure and construction goods 7.2%, consumer durables 6.0% and consumer non-durables 1.4%.

The mix matters as much as the headline number. Stronger capital and intermediate goods can signal investment and production momentum, while weak mining shows that the expansion is uneven across sectors. The quick estimates are also subject to revision as source agencies submit updated production data, so one month should not be treated as a complete trend.

For economic analysis, the September data point to continued manufacturing momentum in the first half of 2026-27, but the durability of that momentum will depend on domestic demand, export conditions, input costs and the effects of higher global oil prices.