New Delhi

India’s wholesale inflation accelerated sharply in April, driven mainly by a steep rise in fuel and energy prices, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The annual inflation rate based on the Wholesale Price Index rose to 8.3 per cent in April 2026, up significantly from 3.88 per cent recorded in March.

According to the ministry, the surge in wholesale prices was largely led by higher prices of mineral oils, crude petroleum and natural gas, basic metals, manufactured goods and non-food articles.

The fuel and power segment recorded the sharpest increase among major categories, with inflation in the group jumping to 24.71 per cent in April from 1.05 per cent in March. The index for the category rose 18.22 per cent month-on-month to 181.7 from 153.7.

Within the fuel basket, mineral oil prices climbed 29.37 per cent during the month, while electricity prices declined by 2.53 per cent.

Among key petroleum products, petrol inflation surged to 32.40 per cent, while high-speed diesel inflation stood at 25.19 per cent. LPG prices also registered an increase, with inflation touching 10.92 per cent.

Inflation in crude petroleum and natural gas rose sharply to 67.18 per cent in April, with crude petroleum alone recording an inflation rate of 88.06 per cent.

Meanwhile, inflation in primary articles increased to 9.17 per cent in April from 6.36 per cent in March, while manufactured products inflation rose to 4.62 per cent from 3.39 per cent.

Food inflation based on the wholesale food index also edged up to 2.31 per cent from 1.85 per cent in the previous month.

On a month-on-month basis, overall wholesale inflation rose 3.86 per cent in April compared with March.

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The ministry said the April WPI data was compiled with a weighted response rate of 96.7 per cent. The next WPI data for May 2026 is scheduled to be released on June 15.