India’s WPI Slips Deeper into Negative Zone

Current Context: India’s wholesale inflation (WPI) fell to –1.21% in October 2025, with data released on 14 November 2025 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• This marks the fourth consecutive month of deflation, compared to 0.13% in September 2025 and 2.75% in October 2024.
• The decline was driven by cheaper food items, fuel, electricity, mineral oils, and basic metals.
• Food inflation dropped sharply, with vegetables, pulses, onions, and potatoes showing major corrections.
• It is the lowest WPI inflation in 27 months, reflecting easing supply-side price pressures.
• The trend signals weak demand at the producer level and may influence RBI’s monetary policy decisions.

Question:

Q.1 India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation for October 2025 stood at:
a) –1.21 percent
b) 0.13 percent
c) –0.75 percent
d) 2.75 percent

Answer: a) Wholesale Price Index inflation fell to –1.21 percent in October 2025, continuing the deflation trend.