India’s wholesale inflation rises to 1.81 per cent in January 2026 as manufactured products prices climb as India’s annual wholesale price inflation stood at 1.81 per cent (provisional) in January 2026 compared with January 2025, driven primarily by higher prices of manufactured basic metals, other manufacturing, non-food articles, food articles and textiles.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for all commodities rose to 157.8 in January 2026 from 157.0 in December 2025, while inflation accelerated from 0.83 per cent to 1.81 per cent during the same period.
On a month-over-month basis, WPI increased by 0.51 per cent in January 2026.
Among major groups, primary articles recorded inflation of 2.21 per cent with the index at 193.9, while manufactured products – which carry a weight of 64.23 per cent – registered inflation of 2.86 per cent with the index rising to 147.5.
In contrast, the fuel and power segment remained in deflation at (-) 4.01 per cent, with its index easing to 145.9.
The Food Index, combining food articles and manufactured food products, declined from 196.0 in December 2025 to 194.2 in January 2026. However, the rate of food inflation increased to 1.41 per cent year-on-year.
Within primary articles, prices of food articles fell by 1.79 per cent and minerals by 0.47 per cent compared with December, while non-food articles rose by 5.32 per cent and crude petroleum and natural gas increased by 4.27 per cent.
Fuel and power declined 1.62 per cent month-on-month due to lower prices of electricity (-2.91 per cent) and mineral oils (-1.68 per cent), although coal prices edged up by 0.73 per cent.
Manufactured products rose 1.30 per cent over December levels, with 19 of the 22 two-digit NIC groups witnessing price increases. Key contributors included basic metals, food products, textiles, other manufacturing and electrical equipment, while pharmaceuticals, machinery and furniture recorded price declines.
For November 2025, the final WPI stood at 156.2 with inflation at (-) 0.13 per cent.
The next WPI release, for February 2026, is scheduled for 16 March 2026.
