EconomySaturday, 20 June 2026·The Hindu - Economy
Wholesale inflation hits 9.7% in May 2026 as India rolls out new WPI base year 2022-23
India’s wholesale inflation rose to 9.7% in May 2026, while the Commerce Ministry launched a new WPI series with base year 2022-23 and first editions of PPI-related indices.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to 9.7% after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry released a new WPI series with base year 2022-23 and first editions of PPI-related indices.
Key specifics
- WPI inflation in May 2026 stood at 9.7%, the highest since at least April 2024 under the new series.
- The Commerce Ministry updated the WPI base year to 2022-23 and widened the ambit of goods measured.
- New releases included Output PPI, Trial Input PPI, and Service PPI for 7 services: Banking, Securities Transaction, Insurance, Pension Funds, Railways, Passenger Air, and Telecom.
- Crude oil and natural gas inflation jumped to 61.5% in May 2026, while mineral oils inflation rose to 49.8%.
- The government said the Producer Price Index (PPI) will replace WPI in 5 years, in line with IMF-recommended global practice.
Exam lens
Economy and index-based MCQ, WPI base year 2022-23, PPI transition in 5 years, fuel-led inflation spike; TNPSC may ask which ministry released the new series and which service sectors were covered.