India's wholesale inflation rises to 3.88% in March as energy and manufacturing costs climb

New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): The annual rate of inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) reached 3. 88 per cent for the month of March 2026, according to the latest data released by the government.

This provisional figure, calculated on a year-on-year basis against March 2025, showed a steady increase in the cost of wholesale goods across the country.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the upward movement in the index remained broad-based, affecting several core sectors of the economy simultaneously.

"Positive rate of inflation in March, 2026 is primarily due to increase in prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, other manufacturing, non-food articles, manufacture of basic metals and food articles etc," the Ministry stated.

The momentum of wholesale prices intensified as the month-over-month change in the WPI stood at 1. 64 per cent compared to February 2026. This monthly rise was reflected in the primary articles group, which carries a weight of 22.

62 per cent in the overall index. The index for this category grew by 2. 28 per cent, climbing from 192. 9 in February to 197. 3 in March. Within this group, the cost of crude petroleum and natural gas surged by 36.

16 per cent, while minerals saw a marginal increase of 0. 12 per cent. "The Price of food articles (-0. 85%) and non- food articles (-0. 22 %) decreased in March, 2026 as compared to February, 2026," the Ministry noted.

The index for the fuel and power group increased by 4. 13 per cent, reaching 153. 7 in March. This change was largely driven by mineral oils, which saw prices rise by 8. 77 per cent.