India’s infrastructure output grew 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026, moderating from a revised 6% growth in June, according to provisional government data released on Thursday.The July reading marks a 0.6 percentage-point moderation from June, when output growth was revised up from the earlier provisional estimate of 5% to 6%.The data covers nine key infrastructure sectors under the revamped Index of Core Industries (ICI), which uses 2022-23 as the base year and includes iron ore as the ninth sector. The new series replaced the earlier 2011-12-based series.In July, iron ore, cement, electricity, coal, steel and refinery products recorded year-on-year growth of 29.5%, 13.1%, 9%, 7.6%, 2.9% and 2.7%, respectively. In contrast, natural gas, crude oil and fertiliser output declined during the month. Iron ore, electricity and cement have remained the key drivers of overall infrastructure-sector growth in recent months.AgenciesSource: PIBCumulatively, the Index of Core Industries grew 4.3% during April-July 2026, according to the provisional estimate, compared with 1.5% growth in the corresponding period a year earlier. The stronger cumulative performance reflects a broader improvement in core-sector activity despite the moderation in overall growth in July.AgenciesSource: PIBMore to come...