Aligning Policy, Technology And Purpose In Indian Steel Sector

A decade ago, India’s steel and mineral sectors stood at the edge of change. Production was rising, demand was expanding, and infrastructure ambitions were soaring. Yet beneath this growth was a deeper question, could an industry built on heat, ore and scale transform itself for a low-carbon, digital future? Over the years, the answer has steadily taken shape.

Today, India has production capacity of over 200+ MT of steel, nearly doubling its capacity in a decade. And the ambition is clear 300 MT by 2030 and 400 MT by 2035. But this is not merely a story of scale. It is a story of strategic transformation of bridging policy vision with industrial revolution.

India’s steel industry has moved beyond expansion into reinvention. Research and development, supported by the Ministry of Steel and the Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), has accelerated the shift from conventional coal-intensive processes toward cleaner technologies. Hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron is no longer a distant concept but a serious pilot pathway. Electric Arc Furnaces are enabling greater use of scrap, reinforcing circularity while Carbon capture technologies are turning emissions into opportunities for innovation.

“The ministry has been allocated Rs 455 crore under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to pilot the use of green hydrogen in steel production. To achieve Net-Zero the Indian steel industry is also working towards carbon capture, utilization and storage. Against this backdrop, the allocation of Rs 20,000 crore in the Union Budget for piloting carbon capture utilisation and storage technologies across five sectors, including steel, represents a decisive policy intervention.” - Shri HD Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries.

Inside steel plants, digitalisation is reshaping the very core of production. Artificial intelligence predicts maintenance before breakdowns occur. Real-time process optimisation improves efficiency and reduces waste. Advanced material science is producing stronger, lighter and more durable steels that meet the demands of modern mobility, defence and infrastructure.

The transformation extends beneath the surface as well. In the minor and critical minerals sector, AI-driven exploration tools are shortening discovery timelines. Smart sensors monitor ore quality in real time, autonomous equipment enhances safety in challenging environments and advanced beneficiation techniques are extracting value from low-grade ores while reducing environmental impact. Digital permit systems are strengthening transparency and governance.

Policy momentum has fast-tracked this transformation. From specialty steel incentives to green-steel frameworks and strategic mineral partnerships, India is evolving from a major producer into a responsible, resilient and future-ready global leader. The story of the last decade is therefore not just about higher output, it is about higher purpose.

As the industry looks toward the future, Bharat Steel 2026 emerges as a defining platform in this journey. With over 100+ visionary speakers, 700+ industry delegates, 150+ leading companies, 50+ global CEOs and 12+ countries converging to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and chart the next phase of growth. It is where conversations on hydrogen steel, digital mining, critical minerals and sustainable production will move from vision to action.

The transformation has begun. The foundations have been laid. At Bharat Steel 2026, the next chapter will be written, because the future of steel is not simply produced, it is forged.