Growth of eight infrastructure sectors at 4.3% in September 2018

As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, index of eight core industries slowed down to 4.3% in September 2018.

• It is the lowest growth recorded by core sectors in the last four months, as production of crude oil and natural gas declined by 4.2% and 1.8%, respectively.
• Previously, lowest growth rate was in May 2018 when core sectors expanded at 4.1%.
• In September 2018, Fertiliser, Cement and Electricity sectors output grew by 2.5%, 11.8% and 8.2%, respectively.

What are Core Industries?

• Core industries are the main or key industries of the economy. 
• In most countries, these particular industries serve as backbone of all other industries. 
• In India, there are eight core sectors comprising of coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity.
• The eight infrastructure sectors, constitute 40.27% of the total index of industrial production (IIP).
• Revised weightage in core sectors:
• Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%), Electricity generation (19.85%), Steel production (17.92%), Coal production (10.33%), Crude Oil production (8.98%), Natural Gas production (6.88%), Cement production (5.37%), Fertilizers production (2.63%).

Question:

Q. As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, index of which industries slowed down to 4.3% in September 2018?
a. Index of Six Core Industries
b. Index of Seven Core Industries
c. Index of Eight Core Industries
d. None of the above