New Delhi: As India readies itself to host Bharat Steel 2026, the country is positioning the summit as a global forum to shape the next phase of steelmaking, driven by research, digital tools, innovation and a deep pool of engineering and technology talent. The two-day gathering in New Delhi will convene policymakers, technology leaders and industry executives to address pressing issues such as supply chain resilience and the shift to low-emission steel production.
Steel remains central to economic development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has compared it to a skeleton supporting modern economies, saying, “Steel has played a pivotal role in modern economies, akin to a skeleton”, and noting that from skyscrapers and shipping to highways, high-speed rail and smart cities, steel underpins growth. Speaking at India Steel 2025, he added, “India is striving to achieve the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, with the steel sector playing a significant role in this mission”, while highlighting India’s status as the world’s second-largest steel producer.
That vision anchors Bharat Steel 2026, which aims to outline a shared global direction for the sector amid economic volatility, disrupted trade flows, rising tariffs and mounting pressure to meet net-zero commitments.
India’s approach blends scale with ambition. The country has set targets of 300 million tonnes of steel production capacity by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047, supported by rising demand from infrastructure, housing, railways, defence and energy. Reaching these levels will require more than expansion. The focus is on securing raw materials, ensuring regulatory certainty and upgrading processes through innovation. Key priorities include domestic beneficiation, lowering dependence on coking coal, improving logistics and streamlining approvals.
Policy support is also reshaping output. The Production Linked Incentive scheme for specialty steel is steering manufacturers toward high-value, precision-engineered grades used in aerospace, automotive, defence and advanced infrastructure, reducing reliance on commodity products.
Sustainability will be central to discussions. The Ministry of Steel’s 2024 Green Steel Roadmap charts a transition that includes clean energy integration, pilot projects using green hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, greater use of scrap and new production routes such as direct electrolysis.
Digitalisation will feature prominently, spanning IoT-based monitoring, robotics, automation and predictive maintenance. Artificial intelligence is expected to improve efficiency, cut waste and raise quality. This push will be backed by expanded research and development, stronger partnerships, clearer technology transfer mechanisms and pilot-scale testing of emerging processes.
With global trade increasingly shaped by carbon accounting norms, India is seeking to emerge as a supplier of low-emission, high-grade steel. The National Steel Strategy emphasises joint ventures in hydrogen-based direct reduced iron, carbon capture and electrolysis, supported by targeted investment incentives.
Bharat Steel 2026 will host more than 700 delegates from across the steel value chain. Partner country and state pavilions, public sector Maharatnas, leading private companies, scale-ups, start-ups, innovators and investors are expected to participate. Together, they will contribute to discussions aligned with the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on self-reliance, technological advancement, innovation and long-term economic strength.
BI Bureau
