According to data released by India's Ministry of Steel based on figures from the Joint Plant Committee (JPC), crude steel production increased by %3 year on year to 42.1 million mt during the April-June 2026 period. During the same period, finished steel production increased by %5.9 to 41 million mt, while finished steel consumption increased by %8.3 to 41.6 million mt.
As of June 2026, the country's annual crude steel production capacity reached 221.9 million mt, bringing India closer to its target of 300 million mt of annual capacity by 2030.
India remains a net importer of finished steel
In June, India's finished steel imports increased by %57.9 year on year to 695,700 mt. During the same period, the value of imports increased by %53 to INR 6,913.3 crore.
June exports increased by %38.1 to 616,200 mt, while the value of exports increased by %43.5 to INR 4,674 crore.
During the April-June period, finished steel imports increased by %49.2 to 2.0639 million mt, while the value of imports increased by %44.2 to INR 20,214.5 crore.
During the same period, finished steel exports increased by %31.4 to 1.593 million mt, while the value of exports increased by %27.6 to INR 12,475.2 crore. As a result, India remained a net importer of finished steel by volume during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Alloy steel production increases by %30
In June, alloy steel production increased by %30.3 year on year to 916,000 mt. During the same period, alloy steel imports increased by %37.3 to 111,100 mt, while exports increased by %153.3 to 36,300 mt. Consumption also increased by %26 to 998,400 mt.
During the April-June period, alloy steel production increased by %28.2 to 2.7275 million mt, while imports increased by %18.6 to 339,500 mt. During the same period, exports increased by %106 to 78,100 mt, while consumption increased by %25.6 to 3.0038 million mt.
Stainless steel imports record strong increase
In June, stainless steel production increased by %1.9 year on year to 339,300 mt. Imports increased by %66.4 to 109,500 mt, while exports decreased by %57.7 to 37,900 mt. During the same period, consumption increased by %55.8 to 481,600 mt.
During the April-June period, stainless steel production decreased by %1.9 year on year to 1.0278 million mt. Imports increased by %86.7 to 310,400 mt, while consumption increased by %27.5 to 1.2816 million mt. Exports, meanwhile, decreased by %36.6 to 121,600 mt.
Domestic steel prices decrease in July
According to July 2026 data based on average prices in India's four major cities, the price of 10 mm rebar decreased by %5.6 month on month to INR 56,698/mt. However, the price remained %3.7 higher compared to the same period last year.
The price of 2 mm hot rolled coil (HRC) decreased by %0.4 month on month to INR 69,828/mt, while increased by %13.3 year on year.
The price of 0.63 mm cold rolled coil (CRC) decreased by %0.6 to INR 76,583/mt, while increased by %14.7 year on year.
The price of 0.63 mm galvanized plain sheet (GP Sheet) decreased by %0.1 month on month to INR 86,415/mt, while increased by %18.9 year on year.
Investments and green steel projects continue
Capacity expansion and infrastructure investments also continued across the sector. In this context, an engineering, procurement, construction, and management (EPCM) consultancy agreement was signed with MECON to increase the crude steel production capacity of SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant to 10.2 million mt.
Meanwhile, construction continued on the 258-kilometer slurry pipeline project that will transport iron ore to Bokaro Steel Plant, while MECON and RITES established a strategic partnership in infrastructure consultancy. SAIL also began evaluating cooperation opportunities with Indonesia's PT Krakatau Steel in stainless steel production.
Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Steel's Green Steel Initiative, Green Steel Certificates were awarded to 97 producers operating across 15 states. The ministry aims to expand low-carbon steel production and strengthen the global competitiveness of India's steel industry through these initiatives.
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