India's wholesale inflation eases marginally to 9.78% in July

India's wholesale price inflation eased marginally to 9.78 per cent in July 2026 from 9.87 per cent in June, mainly due to a moderation in fuel and power prices, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday.The Wholesale Price Index (WPI), with 2022-23 as the base year, stood at 110.0 in July, compared with 110.2 in the previous month.
Data released by the government showed that inflation in the fuel and power category declined sharply to 20.05 per cent in July from 27.41 per cent in June. However, the segment continued to record the highest inflation among the three major groups.In contrast, inflation in primary articles accelerated to 8.52 per cent in July from 7 per cent in the previous month. Inflation in manufactured products also increased to 8.29 per cent from 7.48 per cent.
The government said mineral oils, food articles, basic metals, non-food articles, food products and chemical products were among the key contributors to wholesale price inflation during the month.The WPI Food Index, which carries a weight of 24.99 per cent, rose to 6.65 per cent in July from 6.14 per cent in June, reflecting higher prices of food articles and manufactured food products.Within the primary articles category, the index increased to 117.2 in July from 116.1 in June. Food articles recorded an index of 118.2, while non-food articles and minerals stood at 112.6 and 125.4, respectively.The fuel and power index declined to 105.4 in July from 111.1 in June, indicating a slowdown in price growth in the sector.
Meanwhile, the manufactured products index rose to 108.4 in July from 107.8 in June. Food products, textiles, chemicals, basic metals and electrical equipment were among the segments that registered relatively higher inflation.The government also revised the final WPI index for May 2026 to 110.1 from the provisional estimate of 109.9. As a result, wholesale inflation for May was revised upward to 9.88 per cent from the earlier estimate of 9.68 per cent.
According to the ministry, the provisional WPI estimate for July was compiled using a weighted response rate of 78.55 per cent, while the final estimate for May was based on a response rate of 98.14 per cent.The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the provisional WPI, Output Producer Price Index and trial Input Producer Price Index data for August 2026 will be released on September 14.

(Business Correspondent)