The production of eight core industries, comprising 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), increased 4.1% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative output improved 4.2% in April-March 2017-18. Coal production (weight: 10.33%) increased 9.1% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 2.5% during April to March 2017-18 over corresponding period of the previous year. Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98%) declined by 1.6% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.9% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. The Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88%) increased by 1.3% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 2.9% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%) increased by 1.0% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 4.6% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Fertilizers production (weight: 2.63%) increased by 3.2% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 0.03% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Steel production (weight: 17.92%) increased by 4.7% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 5.6% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Cement production (weight: 5.37%) increased by 13.0% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 6.3% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year. Electricity generation (weight: 19.85%) increased by 4.5% in March 2018 over March 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 5.2% during April to March 2017-18 over the corresponding period of previous year.