WPI Inflation Rises To 9.92% In August 2026 From 9.78% In July: Govt Data

WPI Inflation for August 2026: India’s wholesale price-based inflation rose to 9.92 per cent in August 2026, according to the latest official data released on Monday. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation had stood at 9.78 per cent in July 2026.

The latest reading reflects a marginal increase in wholesale inflation, with prices at the wholesale level continuing to remain elevated.

Inflation in the food index rose to 7.05 per cent in August, from 6.65 per cent in July.

In manufactured items, WPI inflation was at a series high of 8.37 per cent, higher than 8.29 per cent in July. In the fuel and power basket, wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation was 22.93 per cent.

“Across groups, mineral oils (containing petroleum products), food

articles, manufacture of food products, manufacture of basic metals, non-food articles, and manufacture of chemicals and chemical products have been major drivers of WPI inflation in August 2026,” the commerce and industry ministry said while releasing the WPI data.

The WPI has been on an upward trajectory since the beginning of this fiscal year as the West Asia war and the resultant blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which the majority of crude oil is imported into India, pushed up global crude and fertiliser costs with a spillover effect on food prices.

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy committee, last month, kept benchmark policy rates unchanged at 5.25 per cent and projected retail inflation at 5 per cent for FY27, citing deficient and uneven South-West monsoon amidst El Nino conditions.