**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1441, the Ministry of Steel addressed India's target to increase crude steel capacity and production, as well as its reliance on Chinese steel imports.
The government's National Steel Policy, 2017 aims to achieve a crude steel capacity of 300 million tonnes (MT) and production of 255 MT by 2030. As of 2024-25, India's crude steel capacity stood at 200.33 MT with a production of 152.18 MT. The government acts as a facilitator for the steel sector by creating a conducive policy environment.
Regarding steel imports from China, the data indicates the following trends in finished steel imports: In 2023-24, imports from China were 2.69 MT out of a total of 8.32 MT (32.3% share). In 2024-25, imports from China were 2.53 MT out of a total of 9.55 MT (26.5% share). For April-June 2025-26, imports from China were 0.31 MT out of a total of 1.38 MT (22.4% share). Data source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Steel: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for the development of the steel sector.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian: Member of Parliament who raised the question about steel production.
SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA: Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel.
India: The country whose steel production and imports are being discussed.
China: The country from which India imports a significant amount of steel.
National Steel Policy, 2017: A policy document that outlines the government's vision for the steel sector.
Joint Plant Committee (JPC): An organization that provides data on the Indian steel industry, including imports and production.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STEEL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1441
FOR ANSWER ON 29.07.2025
TARGET TO INCREASE CRUDE STEEL CAPACITY
1441. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:
Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the Government’s ambitious target to increase crude steel
capacity in India to 300 MT and production to 255 MT by 2030 from the 8 MT production
at present and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether it is a fact that the Chinese steel accounted for over 70% of India’s total
steel imports and if so, the measures taken by the Government to reduce the high
dependence on China in Steel imports?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
MINISTRY OF STEEL
(a) Steel is a de-regulated sector and the government acts as a facilitator by creating
a conducive policy environment for the development of the steel sector. National Steel
Policy, 2017 envisages a crude steel capacity of 300 million tonnes (MT) and
production 255 MT by 2030 based on projections of growth in domestic demand,
exports and various other factors. Crude steel capacity and production for the year
2024-25 were 200.33 MT and 152.18 MT, respectively.
(b) The details of finished steel imports from China over the last two years and the
current year, along with its share in overall imports, are given below:-
Finished Steel Imports (MnT)
Year Imports from China Total imports % share of China
2023-24 2.69 8.32 32.3
2024-25 2.53 9.55 26.5
Apr-Jun 2025-26* 0.31 1.38 22.4
Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); *Provisional; MnT= million tonnes
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