The pickup was driven by strong growth in manufacturing, mining and electricity, reflecting resilient demand across infrastructure, capital goods and consumer segments. Manufacturing output expanded 8.1 per cent in December, while mining grew 6.8 per cent and electricity generation rose 6.3 per cent.
Economists polled by Reuters projected industrial output expanding 5.5%.
Manufacturing leads December surge
Within manufacturing, 16 of the 23 industry groups at the two-digit NIC level recorded positive growth during the month. The strongest performers included computer, electronic and optical products, which surged 34.9 per cent, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, up 33.5 per cent, and other transport equipment, which expanded 25.1 per cent.
Basic metals production rose 12.7 per cent in December, supported by higher output of alloy steel flat products, MS slabs, and steel pipes and tubes. Pharmaceutical manufacturing also expanded 10.2 per cent, aided by growth in vaccines, digestive medicines and vitamin formulations, the data showed.
On a use-based classification, infrastructure and construction goods recorded the strongest growth at 12.1 per cent in December, followed closely by consumer durables at 12.3 per cent, highlighting continued momentum in capex-led activity and discretionary consumption.
Capital goods output grew 8.1 per cent, while intermediate goods rose 7.5 per cent, reinforcing signs of strengthening investment and production pipelines. Primary goods output increased 4.4 per cent during the month.
Cumulatively, industrial production grew 3.9 per cent during April–December 2025-26, reflecting steady expansion despite intermittent volatility earlier in the year. The government also carried out a final revision of November 2025 data, confirming the upward trajectory in headline industrial growth towards the end of the year.