New Delhi, March 16, 2026:
India’s wholesale price inflation rose to 2.13 percent in February 2026, according to the latest data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The inflation figure is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) with the base year 2011–12 = 100.
The increase in inflation was primarily driven by rising prices in manufactured products, basic metals, textiles, non-food articles, and food items. The WPI index for all commodities stood at 158.2 in February 2026, up from 157.8 in January 2026.
WPI Inflation Trend for Recent Months
The table below shows the movement of index numbers and inflation rates across major commodity groups over the last three months.
| Commodity Group | Weight (%) | Dec 2025 Index | Dec 2025 Inflation (%) | Jan 2026 Index | Jan 2026 Inflation (%) | Feb 2026 Index | Feb 2026 Inflation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Commodities | 100.00 | 157.2 | 0.96 | 157.8 | 1.81 | 158.2 | 2.13 |
| Primary Articles | 22.62 | 194.2 | 0.21 | 193.9 | 2.21 | 192.9 | 3.27 |
| Fuel & Power | 13.15 | 148.3 | -2.31 | 145.9 | -4.01 | 147.6 | -3.78 |
| Manufactured Products | 64.23 | 145.9 | 2.03 | 147.5 | 2.86 | 148.2 | 2.92 |
| Food Index | 24.38 | 195.9 | -0.05 | 194.2 | 1.41 | 192.9 | 1.85 |
The data shows that inflation has gradually increased since December 2025, largely driven by price increases in manufactured goods and primary articles.
Month-on-Month WPI Change
The month-on-month (MoM) increase in WPI for February 2026 stood at 0.25 percent, indicating moderate price growth compared with the previous month.
| Month | WPI MoM Change (%) |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | -0.13 |
| October 2025 | 0.06 |
| November 2025 | 0.71 |
| December 2025 | 0.64 |
| January 2026 | 0.38 |
| February 2026 | 0.25 |
Performance of Major Commodity Groups
Primary Articles
The index for primary articles declined 0.52 percent month-on-month, falling from 193.9 in January to 192.9 in February 2026.
Key changes included:
- Food articles: down 1.33%
- Minerals: down 1.21%
- Crude petroleum & natural gas: up 4.17%
- Non-food articles: up 0.83%
However, year-on-year inflation in this group rose to 3.27 percent.
Fuel and Power
The fuel and power index increased 1.17 percent month-on-month, reaching 147.6 in February 2026.
| Category | Price Movement |
|---|---|
| Mineral oils | +2.05% |
| Electricity | -0.27% |
Despite the monthly increase, the year-on-year inflation remained negative at -3.78 percent.
Manufactured Products
Manufactured goods—accounting for the largest share of WPI at 64.23 percent—recorded a 0.47 percent monthly increase, with the index rising to 148.2.
Out of 22 manufacturing groups:
- 16 groups recorded price increases
- 5 groups recorded price decreases
Major price increases were observed in:
- Other manufacturing
- Food products
- Textiles
- Electrical equipment
- Chemicals and chemical products
Price declines occurred in:
- Basic metals
- Electronic and optical products
- Fabricated metal products
- Wood products
- Leather products
Year-on-year inflation in manufactured products reached 2.92 percent.
WPI Food Index
The WPI Food Index, which combines food articles and manufactured food products, declined slightly from 194.2 in January to 192.9 in February 2026.
| Month | Food Index | Inflation (%) |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 194.2 | 1.41 |
| February 2026 | 192.9 | 1.85 |
Despite the decline in the index, the annual inflation rate rose to 1.85 percent.
Key Commodity Movements
Some notable commodity-level price trends included:
- Oil seeds: inflation surged to 25.38%
- Minerals: inflation at 11.06%
- Eggs, meat and fish: inflation at 5.36%
- Milk: inflation at 3.00%
Meanwhile, prices declined for some food staples:
- Wheat: inflation -4.43%
- Pulses: inflation -5.92%
- Onions: inflation -40.95%
- Potatoes: inflation -27.42%
Data Compilation and Next Release
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the WPI for February 2026 was compiled with a weighted response rate of 83.9 percent, while the final figures for December 2025 were based on a response rate of 93.1 percent.
The provisional WPI figures are subject to revision and are finalised after 10 weeks from the reference month.
The next WPI data release, covering March 2026, is scheduled for April 14, 2026.
Source : PIB
Last Updated on: Monday, March 16, 2026 12:15 pm by Digital Herald Team | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Monday, March 16, 2026 12:15 pm | News Categories: Kolkata