Which of the following sectors is generally not classified as part of the core infrastructure sector in the Indian economy?

Introduction / Context:
Infrastructure sectors are those that provide essential services and facilities needed for the functioning of the economy, such as power, transportation, and basic industrial inputs. Many exam questions ask which activities count as infrastructure and which do not. This question asks you to identify the sector that is not considered part of the core infrastructure sector in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Options include software, cement, petroleum, and steel.
• We focus on the traditional definition of infrastructure and core industries used in Indian economic statistics.
• Core industries usually include sectors that supply key intermediate goods or essential services.

Concept / Approach:
In the Indian context, core infrastructure industries include sectors like coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity. These sectors provide essential inputs to the rest of the economy. Software, on the other hand, is part of the service sector, specifically information technology and software services. While software is important and contributes to growth and exports, it is not classified as a core infrastructure sector in the usual official lists.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the eight core industries: coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity.Step 2: Compare each of the options with this list.Step 3: Cement is explicitly one of the core industries and clearly an infrastructure sector.Step 4: Petroleum in the form of crude oil and refinery products is also part of the core infrastructure sector.Step 5: Steel is one of the eight core industries and provides crucial infrastructure inputs.Step 6: Software does not appear among the listed core infrastructure sectors and is instead part of the modern services sector.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official releases on the Index of Eight Core Industries from the Government of India list the sectors that are counted as core. Software or information technology services are not part of that list, while cement, petroleum, and steel clearly are. This confirms that software is the correct answer for a non infrastructure sector among the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Cement: Recognised as one of the eight core industries because it is essential for construction and infrastructure development.

Chemical petroleum products: Crude oil and petroleum refinery products are also core industries and form a central part of infrastructure for transport and energy.

Steel: Another key core industry providing essential material for construction, transport, and machinery, clearly part of infrastructure related sectors.

Common Pitfalls:
Because software and information technology contribute heavily to India's growth and exports, some students may mistakenly treat them as infrastructure. The key is to distinguish between core infrastructure industries and high value services. Core infrastructure usually refers to sectors that underpin physical production and distribution, not to services like software development.

Final Answer:
Software is not classified as a core infrastructure sector.