By Editor India is a developing country spending heavily on developing infrastructure, roads, tourist places, railways, and more. The core material that plays a key role in every infrastructure is iron, and India has set new records in iron ore output in the past couple of years. All this became possible through the large mineral resources in several states. As the steel demand is growing, the iron production is also going up. In 2024-25, the national iron-ore production was close to 289 million tonnes as per the government’s provisional numbers. Here, we have curated a list of the top 5 major producing states in India in 2025.
To curate this list, we are using government data (Ministry of Mines, IBM Monthly and annual summaries, ministry press release for FY 24-25 totals) along with press releases from credible media outlets. The numbers may vary slightly, considering there will be new numbers about to be released in a few months.
List of Top 5 Highest Iron Producing States in India
1. Odisha – 155 Million Tonnes
Odisha accounts for the single largest share of India’s iron-ore output as per government data and IBM charts. Odisha alone contributes about half of India’s iron ore production, which is about 55% of the total national output. The main depository region in Odisha is Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Barbil (Joda-Barbil belt), and parts of Mayurbhanj. Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and many private miners operate here. The major issues Odisha currently faces are with local land & environmental clearances, concentration risk (national supply sensitive to policy or monsoon in Odisha.
2. Karnataka – 45 to 50 Million Tonnes
With 16% contribution in iron ore’s total national output, Karnataka holds the second position. As per the government statement, the number is roughly between 15%-16% for FY 24-25. The regions that dominate in production are the Bellary-Hospet region, Sandur, and the Chitradurga and Tumkur districts. The key operators in this region are large private/merchant miners, captive mines for steel/DRI units. The major issues in the current situation are with regulatory & environmental factors, including expensive transportation costs. The grade variation is a major issue that makes it hard for industries to buy directly from processors.
3. Chhattisgarh – 45 to 50 Million Tonnes
Chhattisgarh and Karnataka both contribute approximately a similar amount to the national output, which is 45 to 50 million tonnes. So, it is hard to state which state produces more from these two, as the difference is fractional compared to the national output. The key region that produces the highest amount of iron ore is Bailadila/Bacheli (South Bastar), Dantewada. NMDC is a major player in the region, and some private miners are also working on iron ore extraction and production. The current issues are poor reserves, infrastructure improvement, challenging terrains, and forest land.
4. Jharkhand – 25 to 30 Million Tonnes
Jharkhand has many historical mines in the Gua region, which make it a major producer with around 30 million tonnes of iron ore. Jharkhand typically supplies between 8 to 10% of national output, and the dominating regions for iron-ore production are Noamundi, Gua, Kiriburu, and the West/East Singhbhum districts. In this region, the key miners are Tata Steel and several state-approved private operators. Moreover, the Singhbhum belt supplies high-quality ore to many steel plants.
5. Madhya Pradesh – 10 to 15 Million Tonnes
A new name emerging in the national output of iron ore for some time is Madhya Pradesh, with its 10 to 15 million tonnes of iron ore production. The contribution is small but growing as it has reached around 3–6 % recently. The main depositories are in Katni, Jabalpur, and Dhar districts. The key miners in the region are medium-sized private miners and state enterprises. Madhya Pradesh does not match the big four in volume, yet it holds promising hematite deposits and is expanding beneficiation (ore-upgrading) capacity.
Conclusion
India’s iron ore industry is set for steady growth as domestic steel demand rises and infrastructure projects expand. Odisha will remain the top producer, but newer exploration in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh could slightly rebalance shares.
Greater use of technology, such as automated drilling and advanced beneficiation, will improve efficiency and reduce waste. As per multiple resources and media outlets, the government is spending heavily on improving infrastructure for increasing iron-ore production and offering help with transportation.