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The Hindu Editorial • June 24, 2026 • Read Original

Evident distress: On a war, Index of Eight Core Industries data, indicators

Stress from the West Asia crisis has revealed economic pain

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The Hindu Read Original
8 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on June 24, 2026

Evident distress: On a war, Index of Eight Core Industries data, indicators

Stress from the West Asia crisis has revealed economic pain

Index of Eight Core IndustriesGST RevenueWest Asia CrisisIndian Economy DistressEconomic IndicatorsDeficient Monsoon
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 22
English Original

As the resolution process of the West Asia crisis drags on, an increasing number of economic metrics are exposing key weaknesses in the Indian economy.

Present Continuous Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
As the resolution process of the West Asia crisis drags on
As the effort to solve the conflict in the Middle East takes a long time
Subject Who/What
an increasing number of economic metrics
More and more statistics that show the health of the economy
Verb What is happening
are exposing
are revealing or making visible
Object What receives action
key weaknesses
important flaws or areas of vulnerability
Adjunct Additional info
in the Indian economy
within the financial system of India
Context and Background
West Asia Crisis of 2026

The West Asia crisis refers to the escalation of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East (specifically the Iran war) starting in late February 2026. This conflict led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), resulting in oil price spikes and supply disruptions that severely affected import-dependent countries like India.

Sentence 2 of 22
English Original

Many of these existed before the crisis broke out in late February and are now becoming apparent as the economy faces stress.

Simple Past & Present Continuous S + V1 + Adjunct1 + and + V2 + Complement + Adjunct2 Coordinate Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Many of these
A large number of these structural economic weaknesses
Verb What is happening
existed
were already present
Adjunct Additional info
before the crisis broke out in late February
prior to the start of the conflict in late February 2026
Verb What is happening
are now becoming
are starting to show themselves at present
Complement Completes meaning
apparent
clear and easy to see
Adjunct Additional info
as the economy faces stress
when the financial system is under pressure
Sentence 3 of 22
English Original

The latest data on the Index of Eight Core Industries show that these sectors cumulatively grew just 0.5% in May 2026, the second-lowest in 21 months.

Simple Present S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The latest data on the Index of Eight Core Industries
The newest numbers about the performance of India’s eight key industries
Verb What is happening
show
reveal or display
Object What receives action
that these sectors cumulatively grew just 0.5% in May 2026, the second-lowest in 21 months
that all eight industries combined had a tiny growth of only 0.5% in May 2026, which is their worst performance in almost two years except for one other month
Context and Background
Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a monthly production index released by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It measures the collective and individual performance of production in eight core industries: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity. These industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and serve as a vital lead indicator for industrial growth.

Sentence 4 of 22
English Original

It would have been easy to pass this off as a war-related impact, but the data also show that the index grew by an almost equally anaemic 1.1% over the course of the entire financial year 2025-26.

Past Conditional & Simple Present S + V + Complement + Adjunct + but + S + Adjunct + V + Object Coordinate Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
It
This action (placeholder for the idea of explaining away the slow growth)
Verb What is happening
would have been
could have occurred as
Complement Completes meaning
easy
simple or requiring little effort
Adjunct Additional info
to pass this off as a war-related impact
to blame this economic slowdown entirely on the West Asia conflict
Subject Who/What
the data
the recorded numbers
Adjunct Additional info
also
in addition
Verb What is happening
show
reveal or prove
Object What receives action
that the index grew by an almost equally anaemic 1.1% over the course of the entire financial year 2025-26
that the core industries growth was a very weak 1.1% during the whole financial year of 2025-2026, showing that the problem was present before the war
Sentence 5 of 22
English Original

What remains a concern is that the domestic crude oil and natural gas sectors continued their multi-year streaks of contractions in May as well.

Simple Present & Simple Past S + V + Complement Main Clause + Subordinate Clauses Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
What remains a concern
The issue that is still worrying
Verb What is happening
is
represents / exists as
Complement Completes meaning
that the domestic crude oil and natural gas sectors continued their multi-year streaks of contractions in May as well
that India’s own oil and gas production continued to shrink in May, just as they have been doing for several years
Sentence 6 of 22
English Original

By this time, the third month of the conflict, oil prices had settled somewhat lower than their April peaks.

Past Perfect Adjunct + S + V + Complement Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
By this time, the third month of the conflict
Around May 2026, which was three months after the war started
Subject Who/What
oil prices
the price of crude oil on the international market
Verb What is happening
had settled
had stabilized or stopped changing rapidly
Complement Completes meaning
somewhat lower than their April peaks
a bit cheaper than the highest prices reached in April
Sentence 7 of 22
English Original

As a result, oil imports by oil marketing companies began rising once again to meet domestic demand.

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
As a result
Consequently / therefore
Subject Who/What
oil imports by oil marketing companies
the purchase of foreign oil by retail oil companies (OMCs like IOCL, BPCL, HPCL)
Verb What is happening
began rising
started to increase
Adjunct Additional info
once again
another time
Adjunct Additional info
to meet domestic demand
to satisfy the energy needs inside the country
Sentence 8 of 22
English Original

A strategic goal continues to be missed here.

Simple Present S + V + Complement + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
A strategic goal
An important, long-term plan or objective
Verb What is happening
continues
keeps on
Complement Completes meaning
to be missed
not being achieved
Adjunct Additional info
here
in this situation
Sentence 9 of 22
English Original

While imported oil can be used to meet demand, domestic production should nevertheless be ramped up to fill strategic reserves.

Present Passive Modals Adjunct + S + V + Adjunct Subordinate Clause + Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
While imported oil can be used to meet demand
Even though we can buy oil from other countries to satisfy our daily usage
Subject Who/What
domestic production
energy or goods produced within our own country
Verb What is happening
should nevertheless be ramped up
must still be increased significantly despite other options
Adjunct Additional info
to fill strategic reserves
to stock up emergency supplies of oil
Context and Background
Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) of India

India maintains Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) as emergency stockpiles of crude oil to ensure energy security during supply disruptions. Managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), these underground rock caverns are located in Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur, with a combined capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT), sufficient to meet roughly 9.5 days of India’s crude demand. Phase II expansion aims to add more capacity in Padur and Chandikhol.

Sentence 10 of 22
English Original

This reserve oil, even of inferior quality, can be released in times of shortage.

Present Passive Modals S + Adjunct1 + V + Adjunct2 Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This reserve oil
The stored emergency oil supply
Adjunct Additional info
even of inferior quality
even if it is not of the best grade or standard
Verb What is happening
can be released
can be distributed or used
Adjunct Additional info
in times of shortage
during periods when there is not enough oil available
Sentence 11 of 22
English Original

The same holds true for natural gas.

Simple Present S + V + Complement + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The same
This fact or rule
Verb What is happening
holds
remains active or valid
Complement Completes meaning
true
correct or applicable
Adjunct Additional info
for natural gas
in the case of natural gas resource
Sentence 12 of 22
English Original

With natural gas imports and domestic production contracting, it followed that the fertilizer sector would also contract.

Simple Past & Past Future Adjunct + S + V + Complement Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
With natural gas imports and domestic production contracting
Since both the gas bought from abroad and the gas produced at home were shrinking
Subject Who/What
it
the logical consequence
Verb What is happening
followed
happened as a logical result
Complement Completes meaning
that the fertilizer sector would also contract
that the industry making plant nutrients would also shrink in output
Sentence 13 of 22
English Original

The good news, however, is that the contraction — of 0.9% in May 2026 — was much lower than it was even two months earlier.

Simple Present & Simple Past S + V + Complement Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The good news, however,
On the positive side
Verb What is happening
is
represents
Complement Completes meaning
that the contraction — of 0.9% in May 2026 — was much lower than it was even two months earlier
that the decrease in fertilizer production (0.9% in May 2026) was smaller than the decrease seen two months ago (in March 2026)
Sentence 14 of 22
English Original

In any case, what impact the ‘super El Niño’ will have on fertilizer demand is still uncertain.

Simple Present & Simple Future Adjunct + S + V + Complement Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
In any case
Regardless of the situation / anyway
Subject Who/What
what impact the ‘super El Niño’ will have on fertilizer demand
how the severe weather pattern called ‘super El Niño’ will affect the amount of fertilizer farmers want to buy
Verb What is happening
is
remains
Complement Completes meaning
still uncertain
not yet known for sure
Context and Background
Super El Niño and Indian Monsoons

El Niño is a climate pattern involving the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific. A ‘super’ El Niño refers to an extreme warming event. In India, El Niño is historically linked to weak monsoons, agricultural drought, and delayed sowing. This unpredictability creates deep uncertainty for fertilizer demand, as farmers reduce fertilizer application during droughts due to poor water availability.

Sentence 15 of 22
English Original

Coal production, too, contracted by the most in nearly a year.

Simple Past S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Coal production, too,
The mining and output of coal as well
Verb What is happening
contracted
decreased / shrank
Adjunct Additional info
by the most
by the largest margin or amount
Adjunct Additional info
in nearly a year
in almost twelve months
Sentence 16 of 22
English Original

As the summer continues to heat up, electricity generation will increasingly have to rely on variable renewable sources or costly imported coal.

Simple Future Adjunct + S + V + Object Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
As the summer continues to heat up
As the weather gets hotter during summer
Subject Who/What
electricity generation
the production of electrical power
Verb What is happening
will increasingly have to rely
will need to depend more and more
Object What receives action
on variable renewable sources or costly imported coal
on solar/wind energy which change with weather, or high-priced coal purchased from other countries
Sentence 17 of 22
English Original

Notably, the core sectors are not the only ones revealing economic distress.

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + Complement Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Notably
Importantly / it is worth pointing out that
Subject Who/What
the core sectors
the eight key industries
Verb What is happening
are not
do not represent
Complement Completes meaning
the only ones revealing economic distress
the only parts of the economy showing signs of trouble
Sentence 18 of 22
English Original

Domestic GST revenue grew by a mere 1.2% in May 2026, though imports boosted overall GST growth to 3.4%.

Simple Past S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Domestic GST revenue
indirect taxes collected on business transactions within India’s borders
Verb What is happening
grew
increased
Adjunct Additional info
by a mere 1.2% in May 2026
by a very small amount of only 1.2% during that month
Adjunct Additional info
though imports boosted overall GST growth to 3.4%
even though taxes on goods bought from other countries increased the total GST growth to 3.4%
Context and Background
Domestic vs. Import GST and the Base Effect

GST revenue in India is collected from two primary sources: domestic transactions (services and goods sold within the country) and imports (goods brought from outside). In May 2026, domestic GST growth slowed to 1.2% (or contracted, depending on adjustments), while import GST growth surged, raising the overall GST growth to 3.4%. Economists attribute the low domestic growth partly to a ‘high base effect’ from May 2025 (which included large one-off telecom payments), meaning the previous year’s high collections made the current year’s growth look artificially small.

Sentence 19 of 22
English Original

This is in line with other indicators of economic activity.

Simple Present S + V + Complement Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This
This slower growth in domestic tax collections
Verb What is happening
is
matches / is consistent
Complement Completes meaning
in line with other indicators of economic activity
consistent with other data points that measure how much business is happening in the country
Sentence 20 of 22
English Original

Low wage growth and high food inflation have squeezed household budgets.

Present Perfect S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Low wage growth and high food inflation
slow increases in salaries combined with rapidly rising prices of food items
Verb What is happening
have squeezed
have placed under severe pressure or restricted
Object What receives action
household budgets
the amount of money that a family has available for spending on daily needs
Sentence 21 of 22
English Original

The threat of a deficient monsoon has only heightened this anxiety.

Present Perfect S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The threat of a deficient monsoon
the possibility of getting less rain than normal during the rainy season
Verb What is happening
has only heightened
has increased further
Object What receives action
this anxiety
this worry or fear about the future
Sentence 22 of 22
English Original

Superficial trade deals are no substitute for structural reforms, which are urgently needed.

Simple Present S + V + Complement + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Superficial trade deals
shallow or minor commercial agreements between countries
Verb What is happening
are
do not serve as
Complement Completes meaning
no substitute
not an alternative or replacement
Adjunct Additional info
for structural reforms, which are urgently needed
for fundamental changes in the way the economy is run, which are required right now
Sentence 1 of 22
Sentence 1 of 22
As the resolution process of the West Asia crisis drags on, an increasing number of economic metrics are exposing key weaknesses in the Indian economy.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As the resolution process of the West Asia crisis drags on
As the effort to solve the conflict in the Middle East takes a long time
Subject
an increasing number of economic metrics
More and more statistics that show the health of the economy
Verb
are exposing
are revealing or making visible
Object
key weaknesses
important flaws or areas of vulnerability
Adjunct
in the Indian economy
within the financial system of India
Sentence 2 of 22
Many of these existed before the crisis broke out in late February and are now becoming apparent as the economy faces stress.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Many of these
A large number of these structural economic weaknesses
Verb
existed
were already present
Adjunct
before the crisis broke out in late February
prior to the start of the conflict in late February 2026
Verb
are now becoming
are starting to show themselves at present
Complement
apparent
clear and easy to see
Adjunct
as the economy faces stress
when the financial system is under pressure
Sentence 3 of 22
The latest data on the Index of Eight Core Industries show that these sectors cumulatively grew just 0.5% in May 2026, the second-lowest in 21 months.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The latest data on the Index of Eight Core Industries
The newest numbers about the performance of India’s eight key industries
Verb
show
reveal or display
Object
that these sectors cumulatively grew just 0.5% in May 2026, the second-lowest in 21 months
that all eight industries combined had a tiny growth of only 0.5% in May 2026, which is their worst performance in almost two years except for one other month
Sentence 4 of 22
It would have been easy to pass this off as a war-related impact, but the data also show that the index grew by an almost equally anaemic 1.1% over the course of the entire financial year 2025-26.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
This action (placeholder for the idea of explaining away the slow growth)
Verb
would have been
could have occurred as
Complement
easy
simple or requiring little effort
Adjunct
to pass this off as a war-related impact
to blame this economic slowdown entirely on the West Asia conflict
Subject
the data
the recorded numbers
Adjunct
also
in addition
Verb
show
reveal or prove
Object
that the index grew by an almost equally anaemic 1.1% over the course of the entire financial year 2025-26
that the core industries growth was a very weak 1.1% during the whole financial year of 2025-2026, showing that the problem was present before the war
Sentence 5 of 22
What remains a concern is that the domestic crude oil and natural gas sectors continued their multi-year streaks of contractions in May as well.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
What remains a concern
The issue that is still worrying
Verb
is
represents / exists as
Complement
that the domestic crude oil and natural gas sectors continued their multi-year streaks of contractions in May as well
that India’s own oil and gas production continued to shrink in May, just as they have been doing for several years
Sentence 6 of 22
By this time, the third month of the conflict, oil prices had settled somewhat lower than their April peaks.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
By this time, the third month of the conflict
Around May 2026, which was three months after the war started
Subject
oil prices
the price of crude oil on the international market
Verb
had settled
had stabilized or stopped changing rapidly
Complement
somewhat lower than their April peaks
a bit cheaper than the highest prices reached in April
Sentence 7 of 22
As a result, oil imports by oil marketing companies began rising once again to meet domestic demand.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As a result
Consequently / therefore
Subject
oil imports by oil marketing companies
the purchase of foreign oil by retail oil companies (OMCs like IOCL, BPCL, HPCL)
Verb
began rising
started to increase
Adjunct
once again
another time
Adjunct
to meet domestic demand
to satisfy the energy needs inside the country
Sentence 8 of 22
A strategic goal continues to be missed here.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A strategic goal
An important, long-term plan or objective
Verb
continues
keeps on
Complement
to be missed
not being achieved
Adjunct
here
in this situation
Sentence 9 of 22
While imported oil can be used to meet demand, domestic production should nevertheless be ramped up to fill strategic reserves.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While imported oil can be used to meet demand
Even though we can buy oil from other countries to satisfy our daily usage
Subject
domestic production
energy or goods produced within our own country
Verb
should nevertheless be ramped up
must still be increased significantly despite other options
Adjunct
to fill strategic reserves
to stock up emergency supplies of oil
Sentence 10 of 22
This reserve oil, even of inferior quality, can be released in times of shortage.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This reserve oil
The stored emergency oil supply
Adjunct
even of inferior quality
even if it is not of the best grade or standard
Verb
can be released
can be distributed or used
Adjunct
in times of shortage
during periods when there is not enough oil available
Sentence 11 of 22
The same holds true for natural gas.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The same
This fact or rule
Verb
holds
remains active or valid
Complement
true
correct or applicable
Adjunct
for natural gas
in the case of natural gas resource
Sentence 12 of 22
With natural gas imports and domestic production contracting, it followed that the fertilizer sector would also contract.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
With natural gas imports and domestic production contracting
Since both the gas bought from abroad and the gas produced at home were shrinking
Subject
it
the logical consequence
Verb
followed
happened as a logical result
Complement
that the fertilizer sector would also contract
that the industry making plant nutrients would also shrink in output
Sentence 13 of 22
The good news, however, is that the contraction — of 0.9% in May 2026 — was much lower than it was even two months earlier.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The good news, however,
On the positive side
Verb
is
represents
Complement
that the contraction — of 0.9% in May 2026 — was much lower than it was even two months earlier
that the decrease in fertilizer production (0.9% in May 2026) was smaller than the decrease seen two months ago (in March 2026)
Sentence 14 of 22
In any case, what impact the ‘super El Niño’ will have on fertilizer demand is still uncertain.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In any case
Regardless of the situation / anyway
Subject
what impact the ‘super El Niño’ will have on fertilizer demand
how the severe weather pattern called ‘super El Niño’ will affect the amount of fertilizer farmers want to buy
Verb
is
remains
Complement
still uncertain
not yet known for sure
Sentence 15 of 22
Coal production, too, contracted by the most in nearly a year.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Coal production, too,
The mining and output of coal as well
Verb
contracted
decreased / shrank
Adjunct
by the most
by the largest margin or amount
Adjunct
in nearly a year
in almost twelve months
Sentence 16 of 22
As the summer continues to heat up, electricity generation will increasingly have to rely on variable renewable sources or costly imported coal.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As the summer continues to heat up
As the weather gets hotter during summer
Subject
electricity generation
the production of electrical power
Verb
will increasingly have to rely
will need to depend more and more
Object
on variable renewable sources or costly imported coal
on solar/wind energy which change with weather, or high-priced coal purchased from other countries
Sentence 17 of 22
Notably, the core sectors are not the only ones revealing economic distress.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Notably
Importantly / it is worth pointing out that
Subject
the core sectors
the eight key industries
Verb
are not
do not represent
Complement
the only ones revealing economic distress
the only parts of the economy showing signs of trouble
Sentence 18 of 22
Domestic GST revenue grew by a mere 1.2% in May 2026, though imports boosted overall GST growth to 3.4%.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Domestic GST revenue
indirect taxes collected on business transactions within India’s borders
Verb
grew
increased
Adjunct
by a mere 1.2% in May 2026
by a very small amount of only 1.2% during that month
Adjunct
though imports boosted overall GST growth to 3.4%
even though taxes on goods bought from other countries increased the total GST growth to 3.4%
Sentence 19 of 22
This is in line with other indicators of economic activity.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
This slower growth in domestic tax collections
Verb
is
matches / is consistent
Complement
in line with other indicators of economic activity
consistent with other data points that measure how much business is happening in the country
Sentence 20 of 22
Low wage growth and high food inflation have squeezed household budgets.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Low wage growth and high food inflation
slow increases in salaries combined with rapidly rising prices of food items
Verb
have squeezed
have placed under severe pressure or restricted
Object
household budgets
the amount of money that a family has available for spending on daily needs
Sentence 21 of 22
The threat of a deficient monsoon has only heightened this anxiety.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The threat of a deficient monsoon
the possibility of getting less rain than normal during the rainy season
Verb
has only heightened
has increased further
Object
this anxiety
this worry or fear about the future
Sentence 22 of 22
Superficial trade deals are no substitute for structural reforms, which are urgently needed.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Superficial trade deals
shallow or minor commercial agreements between countries
Verb
are
do not serve as
Complement
no substitute
not an alternative or replacement
Adjunct
for structural reforms, which are urgently needed
for fundamental changes in the way the economy is run, which are required right now

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Economic Distress Editorial

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the Index of Eight Core Industries and India's economic indicators.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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