Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 6: India’s production of finished steel increased 3.7 per cent to 81.8 million tonnes (MT) during the first half of the current financial year (April-September), compared with 78.8 MT in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, according to data released by the Ministry of Steel on Tuesday.
Finished steel consumption rose sharply by 7.9 per cent to 84.9 MT during the first half (H1) of 2026-27, compared with 79 MT in the same period last year. The increase was driven by strong demand from major infrastructure projects undertaken by the government in the highways, railways and port sectors.
India’s steel exports also registered a significant rise of 26.2 per cent during the first half of the current financial year, increasing to 3.55 MT from 2.81 MT in April-September of the previous financial year.
In value terms, steel exports during the April-September period jumped 28.9 per cent to Rs 28,263.7 crore, compared with Rs 21,931.5 crore in the corresponding period last year.
Crude steel production stood at 85.1 MT during April-September of the current financial year, up 2.9 per cent from 82.7 MT recorded in the same period of the previous year.
India’s total crude steelmaking capacity currently stands at 222.9 MT per annum, keeping the industry on course to achieve the National Steel Policy target of 300 MT per annum by 2030, according to an official statement.
Meanwhile, mining major NMDC’s iron ore production increased 8 per cent year-on-year to 4.04 MT in September 2026. Its cumulative output during H1 FY 2026-27 reached 27.3 MT, registering a growth of nearly 23 per cent over H1 FY 2025-26 and keeping the company on track to meet its annual production targets, the statement said.
NMDC has commissioned its 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) pellet plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh, completing its Rs 5,427-crore integrated project.
The project comprises an iron ore processing plant at Bacheli, a 135-km-long, 15 MTPA slurry pipeline and the Nagarnar pellet plant, which uses Straight Grate Induration technology.
The project will enable value addition of Bailadila iron ore fines and slimes, reduce road transportation of ore and strengthen NMDC’s presence across the iron ore value chain.
The Ministry of Steel has also decided to establish a Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC), an apex body chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, to strengthen safety standards, prevent accidents and promote a stronger safety culture across the steel industry.
A dedicated Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will support the council through safety audits, investigation of serious incidents and issuance of safety standards suited to Indian conditions. The framework will cover iron and steel producers as well as Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) mines, the official statement added.