India’s steel sector continued its growth momentum in April, with a 5.8% increase in crude steel production to 14.09 million tonnes compared to the same period last year. The domestic demand remained strong, supported by ongoing growth in infrastructure and manufacturing activities. Domestic steel prices also saw an uptick across major product categories due to robust demand.
Hot metal production in April grew by 5.4% year-on-year, while pig iron output experienced a 6% decline. Finished steel production reached 13.05 million tonnes, marking a 3.4% increase year-on-year. Finished steel consumption in April 2026 stood at 12.99 million tonnes, showing an 8.1% growth year-on-year, primarily driven by infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.
Imports totaled 0.68 million tonnes, and exports were at 0.47 million tonnes in April, making India a slight net importer for the month. Compared to the same period last year, there was a 30.8% increase in imports and a 24.9% rise in exports. India’s total steel capacity in FY 2025–26 stood at around 220 million tonnes, progressing towards the National Steel Policy target of 300 million tonnes by 2030.
Major steel players like SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL, and AMNS continued to invest in capacity expansion. Tata Steel recently commissioned a scrap-based EAF green steel plant in Ludhiana, Punjab, worth Rs 3,200 crore. TMT/Rebar prices rose by approximately 2.6% month-on-month, with a 3% year-on-year gain, indicating a positive trend after a period of softness.
Under the Ministry of Steel’s ‘Green Steel’ initiative, NISST played a crucial role in certifying green steel products. By March 31, 2026, NISST had issued green steel certificates to 90 producers across 15 states, with most products achieving a 5-star rating. Raw material prices in April 2026 showed a mixed trend, with domestic iron ore prices notably strengthening, while global seaborne iron ore remained stable.
The Indian steel industry is poised for sustained growth, backed by ongoing infrastructure investments and expanding manufacturing activities. Key priorities for the sector in the upcoming year include managing energy security, raw material cost fluctuations, and global trade dynamics.
