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GS3 · Inflation

WPI inflation 1.81% in January

1 min readInflation
Battle IAS current affairs title card: WPI inflation 1.81% in January (GS3 · Inflation, 16 February 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20201 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • WPI inflation was 1.81% (provisional) in January 2026 [PIB].

Background

  • Basic metals, non-food articles, food articles and textiles pushed prices up [PIB].

Why it matters

  • WPI is still on base 2011-12, while GDP, CPI and IIP are moving to new bases this month [PIB].

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Indian economy: growth, development and macro stability

  1. As per PIB (2026-02-16): WPI inflation was 1.81% (provisional) in January 2026.
  2. WPI is still on base 2011-12, while GDP, CPI and IIP are moving to new bases this month [PIB].
Quotable data point

WPI inflation was 1.81% (provisional) in January 2026.

PIB: WPI January 2026, 16 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: WPI base year.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

WPI base year in January 2026

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerInflation for UPSC: Meaning, Types, CPI vs WPI, Causes, Effects and How India Controls It (Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: WPI January 2026, 16 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending