India’s core sector expanded at a five-month low in May on account of a decline in output in some sectors, such as steel and cement.

Although supply-side constraints have eased to an extent, the revival of industrial performance remains a challenge. The production index for eight core industries grew 2.8 per cent in May, against a robust 8.5 per cent the previous month, pulled down by crude oil, refinery products, steel and cement, show data issued by the ministry of commerce and industry on Thursday. “Despite the uptick in growth of automobile production and ...