ANS:D - 3.8%

India's core sector, a significant economic indicator, witnessed a substantial decline in output growth, reaching a 14-month low of 3.8% in December 2023. This marked a notable drop from the previous month's 7.9%. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry attributed this decline to a high base and a slowdown in six key sectors. Among these sectors, only fertilizers (5.8%) and cement (1.3%) experienced an acceleration in output during December. This slowdown reflects challenges and fluctuations in India's industrial and economic landscape.