WPI inflation rises to 3.88% in March 2026
Annual inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index rose to 3.88% (provisional) in March 2026 from 2.13% in February, driven mainly by crude petroleum and natural gas, other manufacturing, non-food articles, basic metals and food articles.
Summary
Annual inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI, base year 2011-12) was 3.88% (provisional) in March 2026, up from 2.13% in February and 1.68% (final) in January, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 15 April 2026. The rise was attributed mainly to higher prices of crude petroleum and natural gas, other manufacturing, non-food articles, basic metals and food articles. By major group, inflation was 6.36% for Primary Articles (weight 22.62%), 1.05% for Fuel and Power (13.15%) and 3.39% for Manufactured Products (64.23%); the WPI Food Index rose 1.85%. Month on month, the WPI rose 1.64% over February, with Fuel and Power up 4.13%.
Key facts
- WPI inflation, Mar 2026
- 3.88% (provisional)
- Feb / Jan 2026
- 2.13% / 1.68%
- Primary Articles
- 6.36% (weight 22.62%)
- Fuel & Power
- 1.05% (weight 13.15%)
- Manufactured Products
- 3.39% (weight 64.23%)
- Base year
- 2011-12
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What was the annual rate of inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index for March 2026 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: C â 3.88%
WPI inflation was 3.88% in March 2026; 2.13% was February, 1.68% January, and 6.36% was the Primary Articles group.
Arrange the following major groups of the WPI (base 2011-12) in descending order of their weight: 1. Primary Articles 2. Fuel and Power 3. Manufactured Products Select the correct answer:
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Correct answer: D â 3 â 1 â 2
Weights given in the March 2026 release: Manufactured Products 64.23%, Primary Articles 22.62%, Fuel and Power 13.15%.