India’s wholesale price-based inflation rose to 9.92 per cent in August 2026, from 9.78 per cent in July, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday.
The increase was largely driven by higher fuel and power prices. Inflation in the category rose to 22.93 per cent in August from 20.05 per cent in July.
The Wholesale Price Index measures price movements of goods at the wholesale stage. The latest data is based on the new WPI series, with 2022-23 as the base year.
Fuel and power prices rise
Within the Fuel and Power category, inflation in mineral oils rose to 38.48 per cent from 32.40 per cent in July. Inflation in crude petroleum and natural gas increased to 34.41 per cent from 26.99 per cent.
Electricity, however, moved into deflation, with prices declining 1.73 per cent year-on-year compared with a 1.09 per cent increase in July.
Inflation in Primary Articles eased to 7.76 per cent from 8.52 per cent, while inflation in Manufactured Products edged up to 8.37 per cent from 8.29 per cent.
The government said mineral oils, food articles, manufactured food products, basic metals, non-food articles and chemicals were among the major contributors to wholesale inflation in August.
More from BusinessFood inflation also edges higher
The WPI Food Index rose to 7.05 per cent in August from 6.65 per cent in July.
Food article inflation increased to 5.67 per cent from 5.44 per cent, while inflation in manufactured food products rose to 9.65 per cent from 8.89 per cent.
Inflation in chemicals and chemical products increased to 14.30 per cent, while basic metals inflation moderated to 10.88 per cent from 12.56 per cent.
The government also revised June wholesale inflation higher to 9.97 per cent from the earlier estimate of 9.87 per cent.
