According to an official statement released on Wednesday, India’s steel industry maintained its growth trajectory in April, with a 5. 8% rise in crude steel output to 14. 09 million tonnes, up from 13. 31 million tonnes in the same month of the previous year.

This increase was supported by sustained buoyancy across infrastructure and manufacturing, which kept domestic demand strong.

The robust demand in the nation also helped to increase domestic steel prices throughout the month in all major product categories.

The output of pig iron fell by 6% year over year to 0. 69 million tons in April, while the production of hot metal increased by 5. 4% year over year. The output of finished steel increased 3. 4% year over year to 13. 05 million tonnes. The finished steel consumption in April 2026 was 12. 99 million tons, up 8. 1% year-over-year due to the robust performance of the infrastructure and manufacturing end-use sectors.

In terms of trade, India was a small net importer during the month, with imports of 0. 68 million tons and exports of 0. 47 million tons. In April 2026, imports of 0. 52 million tons and exports of 0. 38 million tons were recorded, representing increases of 30. 8% and 24. 9%, respectively, over April 2025.

As of the fiscal year 2025–26, India’s overall steel capacity was around 220 MTPA, putting it on track to meet the National Steel Policy goal of 300 MTPA by 2030. Tata Steel just opened the first of its kind Rs 3,200 crore scrap-based EAF green steel factory (0. 75 MTPA) in Punjab at Ludhiana, while other important players such SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL, and AMNS continued to invest in increasing their capacity.

The price of TMT/Rebar increased by roughly 2. 6% month over month, and it also showed a 3% increase year over year, which was the first positive reading after several months of weakness. The statement highlighted that flat steel prices rose more sharply, with a month-on-month increase of 6. 3% for HR Coil and 7. 3% for GP Sheet, indicating an increase in demand.

As the nodal agency for measuring, reporting, verifying, and certifying green steel, NISST maintained its position under the Ministry of Steel’s ‘Green Steel‘ program. As of March 31, 2026, NISST had granted green steel certifications to 90 manufacturers throughout 15 states, covering a range of products such as TMT Bars, HR/CR Coils, Wire Rods, and Pipes. The majority of the certified products received the highest 5-star rating, indicating that secondary and mid-sized steel producers had embraced the program.

The cost of raw materials in April 2026 reflected a varied but generally steady trend. Reflecting increased demand from the steel industry, prices for iron ore produced domestically increased significantly, with NMDC lump and fine prices increasing by 10–11% month over month.

The worldwide ocean transportation of iron ore remained mostly unchanged. For integrated BF-BOF manufacturers going into Q1 FY 2026–27, higher input costs were sustained as international coking coal prices increased marginally month-on-month. According to the statement, the electric route steelmakers benefited from the comparatively stable prices of scrap globally.

Ongoing infrastructure investment and increasing manufacturing output put the Indian steel sector in a strong position to maintain its growth rate. The industry’s top priorities for the coming year will continue to be managing raw material price fluctuations, energy security, and changes in international commerce, the release said.