Slate stone industry in India has snowballed lately and is contributing significantly to the Indian stone industry. India is among a few countries in the world, holding a large cornucopia of slate stone and its production has gone up tremendously since the country's independence. Indian slate stone conforms to the highest international standards, provides excellent uniformity and consistency and has been used in several well-known buildings, all over the world. Slate stone in India varies from that of other countries in color, firmness, texture, and durability.

The quarrying of slate stone in India has been carried out since the hoary past. Its rich deposits have been not only meeting the requirement of the country but also exporting to various countries. North American markets are replete with Indian slate that is used on a large scale in both commercial and residential markets. Now slate quarrying has become a means of livelihood for the great number of people in India.

It is a matter of fact that stone is admired due to its aesthetic factor, including color, texture, pattern, and finishes. However size, shape, and soundness of stone also matter considerably. So Indian slate stone is Characterized by sturdiness, perfect evenness, outstanding parallel cleavage and can be easily split into accordingly thin slabs.

India is one the largest producers of slate stones in the world, preceded by China and Brazil. In India, there are some places which are endowed with rich deposits of slate such as Himalayan terrains, Kangra valley in the Punjab and certain areas in Bihar. Outer Himalaya where the foliated rocks abound is infested with even and fissile slate that can easily be processed and crumbled in slabs and excellent roofing slates. Joint venture between Indian and international companies in kangra district, has paved the way for quarrying and processing the slate in a meticulous manner that has led the production to a great hight, resulting into financial success. The same venture has expanded the operation in a different part of the country like Aravalli series near Rewari.

Some other private companies are also working in Kharakpur hills where the deposit of slate is abundant. Such joint venture is doing great in terms of production and expansion of the extent of the industry. Slate is also quarried in few parts of Indian Peninsula where the so called transition series of rocks comes about. Slate mines are actually found in north and southern part of India on a large quantity. Demand for slate is expected to go up during the next 5 to 10 years because of applications in both residential and commercial building constructions, improved technology and variety, and the increased costs of alternate stones.