15 April,2026 03:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Wholesale inflation edges higher; food prices remain stable. Representational Image
India's inflation rate based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased to 3.88 per cent in March, compared to the same month last year. This is a rise from 2.13 per cent in February, showing a noticeable uptick in price pressures, reported IANS.
Officials said the increase was mainly driven by higher prices of crude oil, natural gas and manufactured goods.
Fuel and power costs played the hero character in pushing the inflation higher. This segment saw a strong monthly increase. WPI inflation in this group rose by 4.13 per cent in March compared to February, reported the news agency.
Crude oil and gas prices jumped sharply by 36.16 per cent during the month, mainly due to tensions in the Middle East. However, electricity prices fell by 5.07 per cent, which helped offset some of the increase.
A market report noted that energy prices were the key driver, with crude costs rising significantly due to global supply concerns.
Food inflation under WPI stayed unchanged at 1.85 per cent in March, compared to the same month last year. The Food Index, which includes foodgrains like cereals, pulses, and manufactured food items, saw a slight month-on-month decline. While some vegetables like tomato and cauliflower became more expensive, others such as onion, potato, and garlic recorded a double-digit fall in prices. Pulses also became cheaper, with arhar and tur prices falling by 9.56 per cent, and chickpea prices dropping by 7.87 per cent, as per the news agency.
Inflation in manufactured products increased by 0.88 per cent in March compared to February. Out of 22 product groups, 16 recorded price increases, while six saw a decline. This indicates a broad-based rise in manufacturing input costs during the month.
India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 3.4 per cent in March, compared to the same month last year. Food inflation under CPI stood at 3.87 per cent, mainly due to higher vegetable prices, especially tomato and cauliflower.
A major highlight was the sharp rise in precious metal prices. Silver jewellery prices surged by 148.61 per cent, while gold jewellery prices increased by 45.92 per cent during the month.
On a sequential basis, inflation in March was slightly higher than 3.21 per cent in February and 2.74 per cent in January. The government noted that January figures have been revised under the new series.
(With IANS Inputs)
