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India WPI inflation rose to 1.81 percent in January 2026, driven by higher prices in manufactured products like basic metals, food products, and textiles.
File photo of a steel manufacturing plant alongside a wholesale vegetable market.
India’s wholesale price inflation rose to 1.81% in January 2026, up from 0.83% in December 2025, according to official data released by the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) .
The data shows that the uptick in inflation was primarily driven by higher prices of manufactured products, particularly basic metals, food products, textiles and other manufacturing segments.
Manufactured Products Lead The Uptick
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for manufactured products — which carries a weight of 64.23% — rose 2.86% year-on-year in January, compared with 1.82% in December . On a month-on-month basis, the index increased 1.30% to 147.5 from 145.6 in December.
Out of 22 manufacturing groups, 19 recorded price increases. Basic metals saw a sharp rise, with inflation in the segment touching 5.98% year-on-year in January. Textiles and food products also reported firm price trends during the month.
The overall WPI index stood at 157.8 in January, reflecting a 0.51% month-on-month increase over December .
Fuel Prices Continue To Weigh
In contrast, the Fuel & Power category remained in deflationary territory, contracting 4.01% year-on-year in January . On a monthly basis, the index declined 1.62%, led by lower prices of electricity and mineral oils.
Primary articles registered a 2.21% annual increase, though the index dipped 0.15% sequentially. Within food articles, vegetable prices showed mixed movement, while milk and eggs, meat and fish recorded moderate increases.
Food Index And Trend
The WPI Food Index rose 1.41% year-on-year in January, even as it declined on a month-on-month basis to 194.2 from 196.0 in December .
The final WPI inflation for November 2025 was confirmed at (-)0.13%. The January figures are provisional and compiled at a weighted response rate of 84.2%, the release noted .
The next WPI release for February 2026 is scheduled for March 16, 2026.
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