New Delhi, October 15, 2026: India’s wholesale inflation rose to 11.39% in September 2026 from 9.92% in August, driven by higher prices of fuel, food products and manufactured goods, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on October 14. The fuel and power category recorded the highest inflation rate among the major groups at 25.85%, reflecting continued price pressures across the economy.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which measures changes in the prices of goods at the wholesale level rather than those paid directly by consumers, increased from 110.8 in August to 112.5 in September. This represents a monthly increase of approximately 1.5%, while the annual inflation rate of 11.39% measures the change compared with September 2025.
Fuel and power inflation accelerated to 25.85% in September from 22.93% in August. Higher prices of several energy-related commodities, including petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas, coal and lignite, contributed to the increase.
Inflation in primary articles, which include agricultural commodities and minerals, rose to 8.67% from 7.76% in August. Manufactured products also recorded higher inflation, with the annual rate increasing to 9.76% from 8.37%.
Food-related wholesale inflation also increased during the month. The WPI Food Index, which combines food articles and manufactured food products, rose to 8.66% from 7.05% in August. Within the primary articles category, food inflation climbed to 8.14% from 5.67%.
According to the ministry, major contributors to September’s wholesale inflation included mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum and natural gas, coal and lignite, basic metals, chemicals, textiles, rubber and plastic products, and electrical equipment.
The latest figures are based on the revised WPI series, which uses 2022–23 as its base year. The September estimates are provisional and were compiled with a weighted response rate of 83.4%, meaning the figures may be revised as additional data becomes available.
The ministry also confirmed that wholesale inflation for July 2026 remained unchanged at 9.78% in the final estimate, with the corresponding index at 110.0.
Alongside the WPI figures, the government released producer price indices measuring changes in prices received by producers and the cost of manufacturing inputs. The Output Producer Price Index stood at 112.5 in September, compared with 110.8 in August, while the trial Input Producer Price Index for manufacturing was recorded at 106.1.
The next release, covering October 2026 wholesale inflation and producer price indices, is scheduled for November 16, 2026.
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