First release of Index of Core Industries on new 2022-23 base
Next story · 20 JulDraft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 opened for consultation
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
On 20 July 2026 DPIIT released the Index of Core Industries on base year 2022-23, replacing the 2011-12 series. Iron ore is added as a ninth core industry. Provisional June 2026 ICI rose 5.0% year-on-year. The linking factor between old and new overall indices is 1.47.
- Released
- 20 Jul 2026, OEA / DPIIT
- New base
- 2022-23 (replaces 2011-12)
- Core industries
- Nine (iron ore added)
- June 2026 growth
- 5.0% YoY (provisional)
- May 2026
- 3.2% (final)
- Linking factor
- 1.47 for overall ICI
- Next release
- 20 Aug 2026 for July 2026
The Index of Core Industries new series: what happened?
ICI tracks eight — now nine — infrastructure industries that feed the Index of Industrial Production. The new series aligns steel with IIP by using gross production and keeps only raw coal to avoid double-counting middlings and washed coal. Weights come from IIP 2022-23 items, scaled to 100.
- Back series from April 2023 is on the OEA portal.
- Old 2011-12 series is discontinued.
- Provisional ICI for a month is due on the 20th of the next month (or next working day).
Why add iron ore?
- Intensive use in production and its role in industrial development, the release says.
How is the linking factor set?
- Geometric mean of monthly ICI for 2022-23 on the old series, divided by the same on the new series; overall factor 1.47.
Why does the Index of Core Industries new series matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Economy | Core industry pulse on a newer base. |
| Method | Nine industries; steel gross output; raw coal only. |
| Data users | Must switch from 2011-12 and apply linking factors. |
What are the challenges in the Index of Core Industries new series?
- Series breaks need careful reading of the 1.47 link.
- June figure is provisional.
What should be done next on the Index of Core Industries new series?
- Read July 2026 ICI on 20 August 2026 on the new base.
- Use sector linking factors where needed.
What can Prelims ask on the Index of Core Industries new series?
- ICI base 2022-23; nine industries (iron ore added).
- June 2026: +5.0% YoY; linking factor 1.47.
- Steel: gross production; coal: raw only.
- Release day: 20th of following month.
How to write about the Index of Core Industries new series in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Why does rebasing the Index of Core Industries matter for reading the industrial cycle?
- Intro: base 2022-23 and ninth industry.
- Method changes.
- Linking factor.
- June 2026 reading.
- Conclusion: compare like with like.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-20): OEA, DPIIT released the revised Index of Eight Core Industries series with base year 2022-23.
- A new base year tracks infrastructure output more accurately.
Quotable data pointOEA, DPIIT released the revised Index of Eight Core Industries series with base year 2022-23.
PIB: Commerce: ICI new series, 20 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: base years.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The revised Index of Core Industries (base 2022-23) covers how many industries?
Answer (c) & explanation
DPIIT / OEA, 20 Jul 2026.
Which commodity was newly included as a core industry in the 2022-23 ICI series?
Answer (b) & explanation
DPIIT / OEA, 20 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is the new ICI base year?
2022-23.
How many core industries are there now?
Nine; iron ore is the new item.
What was June 2026 ICI growth?
5.0% year-on-year (provisional).
What is the overall linking factor?
1.47.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Commerce: ICI new series, 20 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending