India’s Wholesale Inflation Rises to 8.3% in April 2026 Context : India’s wholesale inflation, measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), rose sharply to 8.3% in April 2026, the highest level in nearly 3.5 years. The previous higher WPI inflation was recorded in October 2022. WPI inflation had stood at 3.9% in March 2026, indicating a significant month-on-month jump. The increase is mainly attributed to the West Asia crisis, which triggered a surge in global energy prices. Prices of crude oil and natural gas recorded steep inflation, with inflation in this category reaching 67.2% in April 2026. The data was released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Despite the rise in overall wholesale inflation, food inflation remained relatively low at 2% in April 2026, compared to 1.9% in March 2026. Economists believe the data reflects the first visible impact of the West Asia conflict on the Indian economy. About Wholesale Price Index (WPI) The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures the change in prices of goods traded in bulk at the wholesale level between businesses. It covers only goods and does not include services, as services are not traded on a wholesale basis. WPI helps in analysing price movements and demand-supply conditions in sectors such as industry, manufacturing, and construction. The index is published every month by the Economic Adviser under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The month-to-month increase in WPI is used to estimate the rate of wholesale inflation in the economy. Calculation of WPI WPI is computed using the wholesale prices of a selected group of important commodities. Commodities are included based on their economic importance and representation across various sectors. These items collectively reflect different segments of the economy and help provide an overall picture of wholesale price trends. Base year used for calculation: 2011–12
