India’s annual Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose sharply to 8.3% in April 2026 (provisional), compared to 3.88% in March 2026, according to data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The surge was primarily driven by steep increases in fuel and power prices, alongside higher prices for mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, basic metals, and non-food articles. On a month-on-month basis, the overall WPI increased by 3.86% in April over March 2026.
The Fuel & Power category recorded the highest annual inflation at 24.71%, reflecting sharp increases in global energy-related prices. Within this group, mineral oil prices rose by 29.37% month-on-month. The Primary Articlescategory also registered elevated inflation at 9.17%, supported by a significant 88.06% annual rise in crude petroleum and natural gas prices.
Inflation in Manufactured Products stood at 4.62%, with price pressures visible across sectors such as basic metals, chemicals, and textiles. Out of 22 manufacturing groups, 21 recorded monthly price increases.
In comparison, food-related wholesale inflation remained relatively moderate. The WPI Food Index rose by 2.31% year-on-year, although certain items such as vegetables and fruits recorded monthly price increases of 4.01% and 4.98%, respectively.
Key Wholesale Inflation Benchmarks (April 2026)
Headline WPI Inflation: 8.30% YoY
Fuel & Power Inflation: 24.71% YoY
Primary Articles Inflation: 9.17% YoY
Manufactured Products Inflation: 4.62% YoY
WPI Food Index: 2.31% YoY
Month-on-Month WPI Change: 3.86%
Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas: 88.06% YoY increase
Major Group Price Movements (Month-on-Month)
Primary Articles
Increased by 2.58% overall.
Crude petroleum and natural gas rose by 16.42%.
Non-food articles declined by 0.94%.
Fuel & Power
Increased sharply by 18.22%.
Mineral oils surged by 29.37%.
Electricity prices declined by 2.53%.
Manufactured Products
Increased by 1.40%.
Major price increases observed in basic metals, chemicals, and textiles.
What is the "WPI Food Index"?
The WPI Food Index is a composite index that tracks the wholesale price movements of food items across two major groups: 'Food Articles' from the Primary Articles group and 'Food Products' from the Manufactured Products group . It provides a comprehensive view of food inflation at the wholesale level, covering both raw produce (like cereals and vegetables) and processed food items (like edible oils and dairy products). In April 2026, this index stood at 195.1, up from 192.8 in March.
Policy Relevance
Signals Input Cost Pressures: The high inflation in basic metals (7.00%) and chemicals (5.09%) indicates rising input costs for Indian manufacturers, which could eventually lead to higher retail prices for consumers.
Energy Security Concerns: The 24.71% inflation in Fuel & Power underscores India's vulnerability to global energy price volatility, particularly with Crude Petroleum inflation at 88.06%.
Food Supply Monitoring: While the Food Index remains relatively stable at 2.31% YoY, the M-o-M rise in vegetables (4.01%) and fruits (4.98%) requires close monitoring of agricultural supply chains.
Manufacturing Resilience: Despite global pressures, 21 out of 22 manufacturing sub-groups saw price increases, suggesting robust demand but also widespread cost-push factors.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The high response rate of 96.7% for the provisional April 2026 index ensures that the data provides a reliable basis for monetary and fiscal policy adjustments.
Follow the Full Data Here: Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of April 2026 (Base Year: 2011-12)