According to preliminary government data, India’s wholesale inflation, as determined by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), increased to 3.88% in March 2026, indicating a widespread rise in prices across important sectors. 

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the increase was mostly caused by increasing prices for manufactured goods, basic metals, natural gas and crude oil, and some food items. In comparison to February, WPI rose by 1.64% on a monthly basis. 

The primary items section saw a 2.28% increase, driven mostly by a strong 36.16% increase in the price of natural gas and crude oil. While electricity costs fell by 5.07%, the fuel and power index increased by 4.13%, mostly as a result of an 8.77% increase in mineral oil prices. 

The manufacturing sector, which has the largest weight in the index, saw a 0.88% increase in prices. Of the 22 industry groupings, 16 had price increases, including metals, food goods, chemicals, and textiles. 

Despite a little monthly decline, the WPI Food Index stayed mostly constant, with annual inflation remaining at 1.85%. 

Source – The New Indian Express