New Delhi, April 15: India’s wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation accelerated to 3.88% in March 2026, up sharply from 2.13% in February, marking the highest level in more than three years, according to provisional data released by the government.
The rise was primarily driven by higher prices of crude petroleum and natural gas, fuel and power, basic metals, non-food articles, and manufactured products. Official data also showed that the overall WPI index climbed to 160.8 in March from 158.2 in February, reflecting a 1.64% month-on-month increase.
Among the major groups:
- Primary articles inflation: 6.36%
- Fuel & power inflation: 1.05%, turning positive from -3.78% in February
- Manufactured products inflation: 3.39%
- WPI food inflation: steady at 1.85%
On a monthly basis, the fuel and power index surged 4.13%, largely due to a sharp increase in mineral oil prices, while the primary articles index rose 2.28%.
The Office of the Economic Adviser said the March data was compiled with a weighted response rate of 77.8%, and the provisional numbers may be revised as more price data flows in. The next WPI release for April 2026 is scheduled for May 14, 2026.
The latest print suggests upstream cost pressures are building in the economy, especially from energy-linked commodities and factory-gate manufacturing prices, which could have a bearing on future retail inflation and monetary policy expectations.
