Wholesale inflation rose from 9.78 per cent in July, with Fuel and Power inflation accelerating to 22.93 per cent from 20.05 per cent
India’s wholesale price inflation rose to 9.92 per cent in August 2026 from 9.78 per cent in July, driven primarily by a sharp acceleration in Fuel and Power prices, even as inflation in food and manufactured products remained elevated. The All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) also increased to 110.8 from 110.0 during the month, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday.
The acceleration was led by a sharp rise in inflation under Fuel and Power, while prices of manufactured products and food also remained elevated. Inflation in the three major groups stood at 7.76 per cent for Primary Articles, 22.93 per cent for Fuel and Power, and 8.37 per cent for Manufactured Products in August.
Fuel and Power inflation climbed to 22.93 per cent in August, compared with 20.05 per cent in July. Within the segment, mineral oils recorded inflation of 38.48 per cent, while crude petroleum and natural gas prices rose 34.41 per cent year-on-year. The data showed that mineral oils, food articles, manufactured food products, basic metals, non-food articles, and chemicals and chemical products were among the major contributors to wholesale inflation during the month.
Food Inflation Edges Higher
The WPI Food Index, which carries a weight of 24.99 per cent, recorded inflation of 7.05 per cent in August, up from 6.65 per cent in July. Within Primary Articles, inflation in Food Articles increased to 5.67 per cent in August from 5.44 per cent in July. Non-Food Articles, however, saw inflation ease to 14.79 per cent from 17.66 per cent, while mineral inflation moderated to 8.24 per cent from 13.28 per cent.
Inflation in Manufactured Products rose marginally to 8.37 per cent in August, compared with 8.29 per cent in July. Manufacture of Food Products recorded inflation of 9.65 per cent, up from 8.89 per cent in July. Chemicals and chemical products saw inflation rise to 14.30 per cent, while rubber and plastic products recorded 11.18 per cent.
Basic metals inflation, meanwhile, moderated to 10.88 per cent from 12.56 per cent in July. Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers recorded inflation of 3.70 per cent, compared with 1.80 per cent in July.
Output Producer Prices Also Rise
Alongside the WPI data, the government released provisional estimates for the Output Producer Price Index (Output PPI) for August. The All Commodities Output PPI rose to 110.8 in August from 109.9 in July.
Output PPI for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing increased to 116.5 from 115.6, while Mining and Quarrying rose to 122.0 from 119.4. Manufactured Products climbed to 109.7 from 108.8, whereas Electricity declined to 90.9 from 92.4.The government said the final Output PPI index for June was also revised, from 109.9 to 110.0. The next provisional WPI, Output PPI and trial Input PPI estimates, covering September 2026, are scheduled to be released on 14 October 2026.
The government also revised the final WPI index for June 2026 to 110.3 from the provisional estimate of 110.2. As a result, June WPI inflation was revised upwards to 9.97 per cent from 9.87 per cent. The August provisional estimate was compiled using a weighted response rate of 84.4 per cent, while the final June estimate had a weighted response rate of 99.3 per cent.
