Published: 13 February 2026PIB / News9LiveEconomy
India's WPI Inflation at 2.13% and CPI Inflation at 3.21% for February 2026, Reflecting Moderate Price Pressures
Official CPI data released on March 12, 2026 and WPI data released on March 16, 2026 showed India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based annual inflation at 2.13% (provisional) for February 2026, driven primarily by increases in other manufacturing, manufacture of basic metals, non-food articles, food articles, and textiles. Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation for February 2026 stood at 3.21% (provisional) over February 2025, with rural inflation at 3.37% and urban inflation at 3.02% (Base Year: 2024=100).
The relatively low inflation figures reflect India's monetary policy management by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which has maintained a calibrated approach to interest rates. Moderate inflation is significant for Rajasthan, a state with large agricultural output and rural population, as it signals stable food prices and manageable cost of living. The CPI data informs the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decisions on the repo rate, impacting agricultural credit and rural livelihoods. Low WPI also benefits manufacturing-intensive states by keeping input costs moderate. These figures are consistent with the Economic Survey 2025–26 projections of India maintaining a high-growth, low-inflation trajectory.
0
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectEconomicExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB / News9Live
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
India's WPI inflation in February 2026 was at what level?
Explanation · Correct answer CThe Commerce Ministry release reported that the annual inflation rate based on the All India Wholesale Price Index was 2.13% provisional for February 2026, measured over February 2025. January 2026 was lower, so the month in the original stem needed correction.
Frequently asked questions
What was India's WPI inflation for February 2026 and what drove it?
India's WPI (Wholesale Price Index) inflation for February 2026 was 2.13%, driven primarily by rising prices in metals, manufacturing goods, and food articles. This moderate figure indicates stable price conditions at the producer level in the Indian economy.
What was India's CPI inflation in February 2026 and how did rural and urban figures differ?
India's CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation for February 2026 stood at 3.21%. Rural CPI was higher at 3.37% while urban CPI was lower at 3.02%, indicating relatively greater food price pressures in rural areas compared to urban centres.
What is the RBI's inflation targeting framework and how does the February 2026 data relate to it?
Under the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement, the RBI targets CPI inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of ±2% (i.e., 2%–6%). The February 2026 CPI of 3.21% falls well within this target band, providing the RBI flexibility to maintain or ease its monetary policy stance.
What is the difference between WPI and CPI as inflation measures?
WPI (Wholesale Price Index) measures price changes at the producer/wholesale level and covers goods only. CPI (Consumer Price Index) measures price changes at the retail consumer level and includes goods as well as services. CPI is used for the RBI's inflation targeting, while WPI is used for industrial pricing and GDP deflation calculations.
Why is the gap between rural and urban CPI significant for policy-making?
The gap between rural CPI (3.37%) and urban CPI (3.02%) in February 2026 highlights that rural households face relatively higher food price pressures. This differential is important for designing targeted food subsidy and agricultural price support policies, and also reflects structural differences in consumption patterns and supply chain access between rural and urban India.
