India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation accelerated further in the month of March 2026 at 3.88% as compared to 2.13% in February 2026, driven by firming prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The component wise, primary articles index, having weight of 22.62%, increased by 2.28% from 192.9 (provisional) for the month of February 2026 to 197.3 (provisional) in March 2026, on the back of sharp rise in prices of crude petroleum & natural gas and a slight surge in minerals prices. However, the prices of food articles and non- food articles decreased in March 2026 as compared to February 2026.

Fuel & Power index, having weight of 13.15%, increased by 4.13% from 147.6 (provisional) for the month of February 2026 to 153.7 (provisional) in March 2026, as the price of mineral oils increased sharply in March 2026. But, the Price of electricity decreased in March 2026 as compared to February 2026.

Further, Manufactured Products constituting the major portion of the index with weight of 64.23%, increased by 0.88% from 148.2 (provisional) for the month of February 2026 to 149.5 (provisional) in March 2026. Meanwhile, for the month of January 2026, the final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011- 12=100) stood at 157.6 and 1.68% respectively.