India’s Steel Consumption Doubles to 152 MT, Capacity Targeted at 300 MT by 2031

India’s steel sector is witnessing a historic expansion, reflecting the country’s rapid infrastructure and industrial growth. Steel consumption has risen sharply from 77 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 152 million tonnes in 2024-25, underscoring the scale at which construction, manufacturing, railways, roads and urban development are progressing across the nation.

Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Steel Secretary Sandeep Pondrik expressed confidence that India’s crude steel capacity is on track to reach 300 million tonnes by 2030-31 and 400 million tonnes by 2035-36. The ambitious expansion aligns with India’s long term vision of becoming a global manufacturing and infrastructure powerhouse.

The summit session brought together leading steel producers and iron ore miners, creating a platform to explore how artificial intelligence can transform core industrial processes. Industry stakeholders presented forward looking roadmaps, identifying practical and high impact use cases where AI can enhance efficiency, improve safety, optimise logistics and reduce operational costs.

The AI in Steel Pavilion showcased real industry problem statements and invited technology innovators to collaborate with manufacturers. The focus is on accelerating digital transformation across mining, production planning, quality control and supply chain management. By integrating advanced analytics and automation, the sector aims to enhance productivity while maintaining sustainability standards.

India’s steel growth story is closely linked to infrastructure expansion, housing demand and industrial development. As capacity scales up, technology adoption will play a decisive role in ensuring competitiveness in global markets. With rising domestic demand and strategic investments in digital innovation, the steel industry is positioning itself as a key driver of economic growth and a cornerstone of India’s journey towards becoming a global steel hub.