India is setting an ambitious target to double its steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and reach 500 million tonnes by 2047, aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The announcement was made by Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, during the inaugural session of the CII Steel Summit 2025 held in the capital on Tuesday.
Calling the steel industry the “backbone of India’s economic engine,” Mr Poundrik underlined its central role in supporting infrastructure, manufacturing, and national development. He noted that the country’s installed steel capacity has nearly doubled over the past decade — rising from about 100 million tonnes to close to 200 million tonnes today. This growth has been propelled by massive public-sector infrastructure investment, expanding urbanisation, and robust domestic demand.
According to the Steel Ministry, India’s steel consumption rose sharply in FY 2024-25, with demand reaching 152 million tonnes, an 8.5 percent growth in the first half of the year alone. The trend reflects strong activity in housing, roads, ports, and renewable-energy projects — all of which depend heavily on domestic steel supply.
Mr Poundrik emphasised that the next phase of expansion will focus not only on scale but also on sustainability. The government is accelerating research and adoption of green and hydrogen-based steel technologies under the National Mission on Sustainable Steel. The mission aims to decarbonise the sector by promoting the use of green hydrogen, scrap recycling, and energy-efficient production methods.
Officials at the summit stated that India’s steel roadmap aligns with its climate-responsible commitments under the Paris Agreement. Efforts are underway to create green-steel industrial clusters and incentivise producers adopting low-emission technologies. These steps are expected to make India a global hub for sustainable steel manufacturing while ensuring competitiveness in international markets increasingly focused on carbon-neutral sourcing.
Industry leaders present at the event — including representatives from SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, and AM/NS India — welcomed the government’s target, noting that it provides long-term policy visibility for capacity planning and investment. They also called for faster approvals for raw-material linkages, improved logistics infrastructure, and continued fiscal support for technology upgradation.
Experts believe that with construction and capital-goods demand expected to rise sharply through the next decade, India’s domestic steel consumption could reach 250 million tonnes by 2030. Meeting this demand will require coordinated efforts in capacity building, energy transition, and raw-material security.
The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a “self-reliant and sustainable steel ecosystem” that will power India’s transformation into a $5-trillion economy. With policy reforms, technology innovation, and private-sector participation converging, the steel sector is poised to play a defining role in shaping India’s industrial growth story.