<h1>India's Core Industries Index Plummets 38.1% in April 2020 Amid COVID-19 Lockdown, Affecting Key Sectors.</h1> The Index of Eight Core Industries in India experienced a significant decline of 38.1% in April 2020 due to the nationwide lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. This downturn affected various sectors: coal production fell by 15.5%, crude oil by 6.4%, natural gas by 19.9%, refinery products by 24.2%, fertilizers by 4.5%, steel by 83.9%, cement by 86.0%, and electricity generation by 22.8%. These industries collectively represent 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production. The decline follows a 9% drop in March 2020, while the growth rate for January 2020 remained at 2.2%.