India’s Wholesale Inflation Rises to 11.39% in September 2026, Highest Level in the Current WPI Series

Why Is It in News?

On 14 October 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry released provisional Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data showing that India’s wholesale inflation rose to 11.39% in September 2026, compared with 9.92% in August 2026. The September figure was the highest recorded under the current WPI series with base year 2022–23.

About

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures changes in the prices of goods traded in bulk at the wholesale level. In India, it is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Key findings for September 2026:

1. Overall WPI inflation: 11.39%, up from 9.92% in August.
2. Primary Articles: Inflation increased to 8.67%, from 7.76%.
3. Fuel and Power: Inflation rose to 25.85%, from 22.93%.
4. Manufactured Products: Inflation increased to 9.76%, from 8.37%.
5. WPI Food Index: Inflation rose to 8.66%, from 7.05%.
6. All-commodities WPI index: 112.5 in September, compared with 110.8 in August.

Higher prices of mineral oils, crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, food articles, chemicals and electrical equipment contributed to the increase. Fuel and power recorded the highest inflation rate among the three major WPI groups.

WPI and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure different stages of price changes. WPI tracks wholesale prices of goods, while CPI measures changes in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services.

Key Points

1. Index: Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2. Data released by: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
3. Release date: 14 October 2026.
4. Base year: 2022–23.
5. September 2026 WPI inflation: 11.39%.
6. August 2026 WPI inflation: 9.92%.
7. Primary Articles inflation: 8.67%.
8. Fuel and Power inflation: 25.85%.
9. Manufactured Products inflation: 9.76%.
10. WPI Food Index inflation: 8.66%.
11. Main contributors: Fuel, food articles, crude petroleum, natural gas, coal and manufactured goods.
12. Difference: WPI measures wholesale goods prices; CPI measures consumer-level price changes.