WPI inflation climbs to series-high 11.39% in September 2026
Why in the news
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released provisional wholesale price data on 14 October 2026. Headline WPI inflation rose to 11.39% in September 2026, the highest reading in the current series.
Key facts
- Headline WPI: 11.39% in September against 9.92% in August; July’s final figure was 9.78%.
- Index: the all-commodities index stood at 112.5, up from 110.8.
- Base year: 2022-23.
- Fuel and power drove the rise, with crude petroleum and natural gas inflation at 57.32% (34.41% in August).
- Manufactured products (63.1% weight) rose 9.76%, the highest in the series; basic metals were at 16.96% and chemicals at 16.74%.
- Electricity prices were still contracting, at -0.43%.
- Producer Price Index: goods output PPI inflation was also 11.39%; the experimental input PPI for manufacturing rose to 106.1 from 104.2.
Component-wise inflation
| Group | September 2026 | August 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| All commodities | 11.39% | 9.92% |
| Primary articles | 8.67% | 7.76% |
| Food articles | 8.14% | 5.67% |
| Fuel and power | 25.85% | 22.93% |
| Mineral oils | 40.02% | 38.48% |
| Coal and lignite | 9.31% | 1.57% |
| Manufactured products | 9.76% | 8.37% |
| WPI Food Index | 8.66% | 7.05% |
About WPI
The Wholesale Price Index tracks price changes in bulk trade of goods. It has three major groups: primary articles, fuel and power, and manufactured products. Manufactured products carry the largest weight. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases the data every month.
Exam angle
- Remember the new base year (2022-23) and the September 2026 rate of 11.39%.
- Fuel and power was the fastest-rising group at 25.85%.
- Manufactured products hold a 63.1% weight in WPI.
- Food articles inflation of 8.14% was a 21-month high.