New Delhi: India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) moved into positive territory in December 2025 after remaining negative for two consecutive months, supported by an uptick in prices of manufactured products, fuel and power, and minerals.
Data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) showed the annual WPI inflation at 0.83% in December, compared with (-)0.32% in November and (-)1.02% in October. On a sequential basis, wholesale prices rose 0.71% month-on-month, higher than the 0.52% increase recorded in November.
The rise in headline inflation was largely led by manufactured products, which carry a weight of over 64% in the WPI basket. Inflation in this segment stood at 1.82% year-on-year in December, reflecting price increases in categories such as basic metals, chemicals, textiles and other manufacturing, even as some food-related manufactured items saw marginal easing.
Fuel and power prices also contributed to the uptick. The index for this group rose 1.23% month-on-month, aided by higher electricity tariffs and modest increases in coal and mineral oil prices, though the segment continued to remain in deflation on an annual basis at (-)2.31%.
Inflation in primary articles softened on a year-on-year comparison but showed a sequential rise, with the index increasing 1.09% over November. Prices of non-food articles, minerals and food articles edged up, while crude petroleum and natural gas prices declined marginally during the month.
The WPI food index moved out of deflation, with year-on-year inflation at 0% in December against (-)2.6% in November, reflecting a stabilisation in food prices after sharp declines earlier in the year. Vegetables and pulses continued to show significant year-on-year deflation, though the pace moderated compared with previous months.
The December WPI figures are provisional and will be revised as more data becomes available. The next WPI release, for January 2026, is scheduled for February 16, 2026.