Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 14: India’s wholesale price inflation accelerated to 11.39 per cent in September 2026 from 9.92 per cent in August, driven by rising prices of fuel and power, manufactured products and primary articles, according to provisional government data released on Wednesday.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rose for the fifth consecutive month, reaching its highest level during the six-month period. Inflation stood at 8.36 per cent in April, 9.88 per cent in May, 9.97 per cent in June and 9.78 per cent in July.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said annual wholesale inflation for September stood at 11.39 per cent, compared with 9.92 per cent in August. The All Commodities WPI increased to 112.5 in September from 110.8 in the previous month.
Inflation in the fuel and power category climbed to 25.85 per cent in September from 22.93 per cent in August. Within the category, inflation in mineral oils increased to 40.02 per cent from 38.48 per cent, while crude petroleum and natural gas inflation surged to 57.32 per cent from 34.41 per cent. Inflation in coal and lignite rose to 9.31 per cent from 1.57 per cent.
Electricity prices remained in deflation, with the rate standing at minus 0.43 per cent in September, compared with minus 1.73 per cent in August.
Inflation in the food index also increased to 8.66 per cent in September from 7.05 per cent in August.
The ministry identified mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum and natural gas, coal and lignite, basic metals, chemicals and chemical products, textiles, rubber and plastic products, and electrical equipment among the major contributors to wholesale inflation during the month.
Wholesale inflation has been rising since the beginning of the current financial year, amid higher global crude oil and fertiliser costs linked to the West Asia conflict and the resulting disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The increase has also put pressure on food and other commodity prices.
Meanwhile, retail inflation data released earlier this week showed that consumer price inflation rose to a 23-month high of 5.54 per cent in September from 4.83 per cent in August, driven by higher food prices.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee also raised the benchmark policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent last week.