India’s wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation rose to 1.81 per cent in January, marking a 10-month high, compared with 0.83 per cent in December 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday.
The positive rate of inflation in January 2026 was primarily driven by higher prices in the manufacture of basic metals, other manufacturing segments, non-food articles, food articles and textiles, among others.
January WPI Food Index
Food inflation under the WPI edged up to 1.41 per cent in January from 0 per cent in December 2025.
Prices of primary articles — which include agricultural produce, minerals and crude oil — declined marginally by 0.15 per cent during the month. Food article prices fell 1.79 per cent, while mineral prices dropped 0.47 per cent. However, non-food articles recorded a sharp increase of 5.32 per cent, and crude petroleum and natural gas prices rose 4.27 per cent compared with December.
Fuel, Power and Manufactured Products
Fuel and power prices declined by 1.62 per cent in January. Electricity prices dropped 2.91 per cent, and mineral oil prices fell 1.68 per cent. Coal prices, however, registered a modest increase of 0.73 per cent.
Manufactured product prices rose 1.30 per cent during the month. Of the 22 manufacturing groups, 19 recorded price increases while three saw declines. Prices increased for basic metals, food products, textiles, electrical equipment and other manufactured goods. In contrast, pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, and furniture witnessed price declines compared with December.
CPI Inflation at 2.75%
Meanwhile, India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 2.75 per cent in January 2026, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Thursday.
The January 2026 CPI data reflects a shift in the base year to 2024, updating the index to better capture changes in consumption patterns over the past 12 years. Under the revised structure, services will carry a higher weight, while the share of food in the index has been reduced.