India’s wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 1.64 per cent in March 2026, according to provisional data released by the government.
The data, released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), showed a marginal month-on-month decline of 0.06 per cent in the overall wholesale price index, indicating some easing in price pressures.
Among major components, primary articles recorded a decline on a monthly basis, while maintaining a positive year-on-year inflation trend. The index for primary articles stood at 197.3, reflecting movements in food and non-food items.
The data also indicated that wholesale inflation has shown a gradual increase on a year-on-year basis in recent months, though it remains relatively moderate compared to previous periods.
The WPI is compiled based on data collected from institutional sources and selected manufacturing units across the country. The provisional figures are subject to revision and are finalised after a review period.
The government releases WPI data on a monthly basis, typically on the 14th of each month, with a lag of about two weeks from the reference period. The next set of data for April 2026 is scheduled to be released on May 14.
The wholesale inflation data serves as a key indicator for tracking price trends at the producer level and provides insights into supply-side pressures in the economy.
