Base year revision

In the news

• Wholesale inflation rises to 11.39% in September, led by fuel and power at 25.85% 15 October 2026 · The Hindu

  Factory-gate prices are rising twice as fast as retail prices. What is driving the gap, and will it close?

• Industrial output grows 8% in August 2026, but consumer non-durables lag at 2.1% 29 September 2026 · Indian Express

  Factories are humming and capital goods are up 16.9%. So why are everyday consumer goods barely growing?

• GDP grows 7.8% in April-June 2026, beating the RBI's 7% projection 1 September 2026 · Indian Express

  Investment jumped and factories sped up, but farm growth slowed. How durable is 7.8%?

Key facts

• WPI inflation was 11.39% in September 2026, up from 9.92% in August; the July final figure stayed at 9.78%. (15 October 2026)
• Fuel and power inflation was 25.85%, with crude petroleum and natural gas up 57.32% and mineral oils up 40.02%. (15 October 2026)
• The IIP grew 8% year-on-year in August 2026; July was revised to 7.4% from 6.7%. (29 September 2026)
• Manufacturing grew 9%, electricity and gas 12.3%, water supply and waste management 6.3%, while mining contracted 5.6%. (29 September 2026)
• Real GDP grew 7.8% in April to June 2026 (Q1 2026-27), against 6.9% in the same quarter of 2025-26 on the new 2022-23 base. (1 September 2026)
• Nominal GDP grew 10.3% to ₹88.27 lakh crore, and real GVA grew 8.2%. (1 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2024 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.
2. 2023 · GS3 · 10 marks Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.
3. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.
4. 2019 · GS3 · 10 marks Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.
5. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marks "Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period" Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the…
6. 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis industry in the…
7. 2020 · Prelims Consider the following statements: 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI…