The positive rate of inflation in January 2026 is primarily attributed to increase in prices of manufacture of basic metals, other manufacturing, non-food articles, food articles and textiles, added Mr Juneja.

On a month-on-month basis, WPI for the month of January, 2026 stood at 0.51%, driven by moderation in prices of Primary Articles and Fuel & Power groups, while registering an increase in prices of Manufactured products , said Mr Rajeev Juneja.

The Primary Articles group (weight: 22.62%) saw a decrease from 0.67% in December 2025 to -0.15% in January 2026 on a month-on-month basis. The decline is majorly due to fall in prices of food articles (-1.79%) and minerals (-0.47%). While, the Price of non-food articles (5.32%) and Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (4.27%) registered an increase in January 2026, said Mr Juneja.

In the Fuel and Power category (weight: 13.15%), inflation decreased by 1.62%, on a month-on-month basis, supported by a moderation in the prices of electricity and mineral oils. The price of coal (0.73%) increased in January, 2026 as compared to December, 2025 due to increase in demand, said Mr Juneja.

The Manufactured Products group (weight: 64.23%) reported an increase from 0.28% in December 2025 to 1.30% in January 2026. On a month-on-month basis, groups that showed an increase in prices were manufacture of basic metals; food products; textiles. The manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products; and machinery and equipment witnessed  a decrease in prices in January, 2026, said Mr. Juneja.

Overall, the WPI is expected to remain range-bound due to moderation in prices of Fuel and Power group, said Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO| Secretary General, PHDCCI. 

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