The Standing Committee on Coal and Steel present this Twenty-First Report (Sixteenth Lok Sabha) on the subject "Research and Development in Iron and Steel Sector" relating to the Ministry of Steel. Steel is a core industry critical for India's future growth and development. Indian Steel Sector contributes nearly 2% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and nearly 7% through the output multiplier effect. Sectors like automobiles, construction, consumer durables and infrastructure are the major demand drivers of the steel industry. A vibrant steel sector would be critical for India to achieve and sustain annual GDP growth of 9-10%. No country has become industrially developed without an indigenous steel industry.