अवलोकन
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to a historic 11.4% in September 2026. This is the highest reading in the 2½‑year span of the new series and the highest in 49 months according to the older series. Food and fuel price spikes are the main drivers.
मुख्य विकास
- Headline WPI inflation reached 11.4% in September 2026 – a record for the new series and a 49‑month high.
- Food articles component jumped to 8.1% from 5.7% in August, after a low‑base contraction of 6.8% a year earlier.
- Fuel and power category surged to 25.85%, the highest in three months.
- Manufactured goods inflation hit a series‑high of 9.8%, up from 8.4% in August.
- Non‑food primary articles recorded 10.3%, the lowest in four months but still elevated.
महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य
The new WPI series uses 2022‑23 as its base year, so data is available only from April 2024. The older series, with a 2011‑12 base, provides a longer historical perspective. According to ICRA economist Rahul Agrawal, the core WPI contributed more than half of the 147 basis‑point rise in headline inflation from August to September, reflecting input‑cost pass‑through.
Industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Anil Gupta warned that rising wholesale prices in food, fuel, and manufactured goods demand close monitoring of input costs and pricing strategies.
Within the fuel and power segment, fuel and power inflation hit 25.85%. Sub‑categories showed sharp increases: mineral oils rose 40% (three‑month high) and crude