WPI Inflation Turns Negative at -1.21% in October 2025
Why in the news
Wholesale inflation slipped into deflation in October 2025 as food prices dropped sharply.
Key facts
- October 2025: -1.21%; September: 0.13%; a year earlier: 2.75%.
- Reuters poll expected only about -0.6%.
- Drivers: steep food article deflation and weak fuel and power.
WPI versus CPI
| Point | WPI | CPI |
|---|---|---|
| Measures | Wholesale or producer prices | Retail prices paid by households |
| Coverage | Primary articles, manufactured goods, fuel and power | Food, clothing, housing, health, education, transport and more |
| Use | Supply-chain price trends | RBI’s monetary policy and rate decisions |
| Gap | Excludes services | Shows actual cost of living, with services |
Exam angle
- WPI inflation, October 2025: -1.21%.
- CPI guides RBI policy; WPI leaves out services.