In this study the author examines productivity trends in Indian industry for the period 1950-1951 to 1992-1993, and for the sub-periods: 1960-1961 to 1992-1993, 1970-1991 to 1992-1993 and 1980-1981 to 1992-1993, using the latest available Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) data that have been released by the Central Statistical Organisation. Productivity is measured using a linear-programming based technique called data envelopment analysis. The results show that in the decade of the 1950s, industrial efficiency was relatively high; however, in the 1960s and 1970s there was severe retrogression in efficiency patterns. These patterns began reversing themselves only in the 1980s; while efficiency in the 1980s was no better than it had been in the 1950s, data indicate that Indian industry has reached its highest efficiency potential throughout the 1990s thus providing some evidence that the reforms seem to be working.