UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES OF WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX, OUTPUT PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, AND TRIAL INPUT PRODUCER PRICE INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026, AND FINAL ESTIMATES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026
Q1. Consider the following statements comparing the administrative arrangements for India's wholesale-level and retail-level price indices as they stand in 2026:
1. The WPI is compiled by an office located in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, whereas the CPI is compiled by an office located in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
2. Both indices are released at a monthly frequency.
3. The Producer Price Indices introduced in 2026 are released by a Ministry different from the one that releases the WPI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The WPI is compiled by an office located in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, whereas the CPI is compiled by an office located in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
- Both indices are released at a monthly frequency.
- The Producer Price Indices introduced in 2026 are released by a Ministry different from the one that releases the WPI.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. The methodology adopted for the revision of the WPI base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 was endorsed by which one of the following bodies before the revision was approved by the competent authority in May 2026?
- A. Technical Advisory Committee on Statistics of Prices and Cost of Living
- B. Standing Committee on Economic Statistics
- C. Central Statistics Office Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics
- D. Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India
Q3. The Output Producer Price Index, trial Input Producer Price Index and Service Producer Price Index introduced in India in 2026 are compiled and released by which one of the following?
- A. Office of Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- B. National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
- C. Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment
- D. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
Q4. The provisional All-India Wholesale Price Index for June 2026, released in July 2026, was compiled on which one of the following base years?
- A. 2011-12
- B. 2004-05
- C. 2022-23
- D. 2024
Q5. With reference to the provisional Wholesale Price Index estimates for June 2026, consider the following:
1. Year-on-year WPI inflation rose over the preceding month.
2. Fuel & Power recorded the highest group-wise year-on-year inflation among the three major groups.
3. Primary Articles recorded higher year-on-year inflation than Manufactured Products.
4. All-Commodities WPI inflation was in double digits.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Year-on-year WPI inflation rose over the preceding month.
- Fuel & Power recorded the highest group-wise year-on-year inflation among the three major groups.
- Primary Articles recorded higher year-on-year inflation than Manufactured Products.
- All-Commodities WPI inflation was in double digits.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q6. Consider the following statements comparing the Wholesale Price Index and the Consumer Price Index in India as of 2026:
1. The current WPI series and the current CPI series rest on different base years.
2. The CPI basket and weights are derived from a household consumption expenditure survey, whereas the new WPI weights are derived from the Gross Value of Output.
3. Unlike the CPI, the WPI includes services within its own basket.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The current WPI series and the current CPI series rest on different base years.
- The CPI basket and weights are derived from a household consumption expenditure survey, whereas the new WPI weights are derived from the Gross Value of Output.
- Unlike the CPI, the WPI includes services within its own basket.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q7. India's inflation target is defined in terms of the Consumer Price Index rather than the Wholesale Price Index, and is determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Reserve Bank once every five years. This requirement flows from which one of the following?
- A. Section 45ZA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
- B. Section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
- C. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
- D. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
Q8. Consider the following statements about how the new WPI series (Base 2022-23) differs from the earlier WPI series (Base 2011-12) in the composition of its basket:
1. Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas, earlier placed under Primary Articles, has been shifted to the Fuel & Power group.
2. Solar and Wind sources have been added under the 'Electricity' group, and Nuclear Electricity has been brought into the basket.
3. The total number of items in the basket has been reduced from 957 to 697.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas, earlier placed under Primary Articles, has been shifted to the Fuel & Power group.
- Solar and Wind sources have been added under the 'Electricity' group, and Nuclear Electricity has been brought into the basket.
- The total number of items in the basket has been reduced from 957 to 697.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. Under the new WPI/PPI series with base year 2022-23, the provisional index for which one of the following months was the very first to be released, along with a back series of 37 months?
- A. March 2026
- B. April 2026
- C. May 2026
- D. June 2026