Inflation (Indian Economy).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Economic & Social Development; Mains GS3
Inflation for UPSC: demand-pull vs cost-push, CPI and WPI compared, core and headline, stagflation, effects on groups, inflation targeting and real PYQs.
On 16 October 2026 the Department of Consumer Affairs said the first-ever Kanda Express consignment to Agartala, Tripura — about 440 MT of buffer onions under the Price Stabilization Fund — was expected by 18 October, covering seven of Tripura's eight districts. Earlier North-East supplies included two rail rakes and 44 truck consignments.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Price Stabilization Fund, Kanda Express, onion buffer. · Mains GS-III: food inflation management and regional supply chains.
16 Oct 2026
Wholesale Price Index inflation (base 2022-23) rose to 11.39% in September 2026, provisional, from 9.92% in August. Fuel and Power led at 25.85%, with mineral oils at 40.02%. Primary Articles rose 8.67%, Manufactured Products 9.76% and the WPI Food Index 8.66%. July's final figure stayed at 9.78%.
UPSC angle: Prelims: base year, group weights, monthly figures, release schedule. · Mains GS-III: inflation, its causes and control.
14 Oct 2026
The Centre has capped sugar dealers' stocks at 1,000 quintals and a holding period of 15 days from 15 October to 30 November 2026, to stop hoarding in the festive season. Kolkata's metro area and Assam get a 2,000-quintal limit. Retail sugar prices are down 15 per cent from the August peak and ex-mill prices about 28 per cent.
UPSC angle: Mains: Stock limits vs market efficiency.
1 Oct 2026
On 24 September 2026 the Government cut Basic Customs Duty on crude sunflower oil from 10% to nil, and on crude soybean and crude palm oil from 10% to 5%. Duty on refined oils was cut too, but the 19.25% gap between crude and refined oils was kept to protect domestic refiners.
UPSC angle: Mains: Import duty cuts vs oilseed self-reliance: policy coherence.
24 Sep 2026
On 18 September 2026 the Government relaxed the stock limit for bulk sugar consumers from 15 to 30 days, on the condition that the extra stock comes only from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme and Tariff Rate Quota. Retail prices have fallen about 10% from their August peak, but ex-mill prices have fallen nearly 25%.
UPSC angle: Prelims: what a Tariff Rate Quota is. · Mains: Are stock limits an effective anti-inflation tool?
18 Sep 2026
On 14 September 2026 the Government released price data for August 2026. Wholesale (WPI) inflation was 9.92 per cent, with fuel and power up 22.93 per cent. Retail (CPI) inflation, on the new base year 2024, was 4.82 per cent, and food inflation 5.95 per cent. Rural retail inflation (5.23 per cent) was higher than urban (4.31 per cent).
UPSC angle: Prelims: base years and compilers of WPI/CPI. · Mains: Why WPI and CPI diverge.
14 Sep 2026