Iron & Steel Industry in India

Some of the other recent Government initiatives in this sector are as follows:

• On January 12, 2026, India’s steel exports grew by nearly one-third during April–December 2025, supported by government measures aimed at boosting domestic production and exports, reflecting improved competitiveness and policy backing for the sector.
• December 26, 2025 The government is sharpening its focus on increasing steel output and ensuring raw material security as India moves toward its 2030 capacity targets. Key initiatives include securing coking coal supplies, strengthening supply chains, and encouraging investments across the steel value chain.
• In November 2025, India’s Ministry of Steel launched the third round of the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel (PLI 1.2) to attract new investment in advanced steel products with incentives of 4% to 15% on incremental sales and broaden high-end steel capacity to support domestic manufacturing and global competitiveness.
• Indian government plans to reduce imports by 50% in FY26 to become net exporter of steel in the near future. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended a 12% provisional safeguard to protect domestic players from surge in imports and potentially increasing their profitability. This development could potentially lead to a decrease in imports and increase market competitiveness.
• Up to December 2024, RINL dispatched about 1,400 MT of steel to Northeast projects, including National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Plans are in progress to set up a two-tier steel distribution network in Guwahati.
• Union Minister Mr. H. D. Kumaraswamy launched Steel Import Monitoring System 2.0 (SIMS 2.0) on July 25, 2024. SIMS 2.0 improves data transparency, quality control, and integration with government portals to support steel sector growth and better import management.
• The Union Ministry of Steel launched PLI Scheme 1.1 on January 6, 2025, with a Rs. 6,322 crore (US$ 733.40 million) outlay to boost specialty steel production and attract investments. Covering five key product categories, the scheme eases norms to reduce imports, enhance domestic manufacturing, and improve energy efficiency, with applications open until January 2025.
• In February 2024, the government has implemented various measures to promote self-reliance in the steel industry.
• In July 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel. The scheme is expected to attract investment worth ~Rs. 400 billion (US$ 5.37 billion) and expand specialty steel capacity by 25 million tonnes (MT), to 42 MT in FY27, from 18 MT in FY21.
• Under the Union Budget 2023-24, the government allocated Rs. 70.15 crore (US$ 8.6 million) to the Ministry of Steel.
• In addition, an investment of Rs. 75,000 crore (US$ 9.15 billion) (including Rs. 15,000 crore (US$ 1.83 billion) from private sources) has been allocated for 100 critical transport infrastructure projects for last and first mile connectivity for various sectors such as ports, coal, and steel.
• The Union Cabinet, Government of India approved the National Steel Policy (NSP) 2017, as it intends to create a globally competitive steel industry in India. NSP 2017 envisage 300 million tonnes (MT) steel-making capacity and 160 kgs per capita steel consumption by 2030-31.
• The Ministry of Steel is facilitating the setting up of an industry driven Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) in association with the public and private sector steel companies to spearhead research and development activities in the iron and steel industry at an initial corpus of Rs. 200 crore (US$ 30 million).
• The Government of India raised import duty on most steel items twice, each time by 2.5% and imposed measures including anti-dumping and safeguard duties on iron and steel items.