UPSC Notes

Index of Core Industries (ICI)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

The ICI is a crucial lead indicator for assessing the health and growth trajectory of the Indian economy, particularly its industrial and infrastructure sectors. Understanding its components, methodology, and recent updates is vital for analyzing economic trends, formulating policy responses, and evaluating the impact of government initiatives.

The Index of Core Industries (ICI) is a monthly production index that measures the collective and individual performance of nine key infrastructure sectors of the Indian economy. It serves as a lead indicator of industrial activity and overall economic health, providing insights into the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Measures

Production performance of nine key infrastructure sectors (previously eight).

Weight in IIP

Accounts for about 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Publishing Body

Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Recent Update

Base year updated to 2018-19 (from 2011-12), Iron Ore added as a new sector, and weights revised (e.g., Electricity >30%, Coal ~5.6%, Natural Gas ~3.8%).

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Economy
Conceptual areaMacroeconomic Trends & Inflation

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Commerce & IndustryPublishes
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)Suggested publisher
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Terminology-based question

Quick revision

  • Measures production of 9 core infrastructure sectors.
  • Published by Office of Economic Adviser, MoCI.
  • Base year updated to 2018-19; Iron Ore added as new sector.
  • Significant weight (40.27%) in Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Key indicator for industrial growth and economic health.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Indian EconomyMacroeconomic Trends & Inflation

​Core upgrade: On the Index of Core Industries

24 Jul 2026 · The Index of Core Industries (ICI) tracks the output of nine key infrastructure sectors, serving as a barometer for industrial activity and a significant component of the IIP. Its recent update to a 2018-19 base year, inclusion of iron ore, and revised sectoral weights aim to make it more representative of the current economic structure.

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Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Index of Core Industries (ICI) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.