| Difference between WPI and CPI |
| Criteria | Wholesale Price Index | Consumer Price Index (CPI) |
| Level | Measures Inflation at Wholesale level | Measures Inflation at Retail level |
| Who Calculates? | Office of Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce and Industry | National Statistical Office, MoSPI |
| Base year | 2011-12 | 2012 |
| Released on | 14th of Every Month | 12th of Every Month |
| Number of Items covered | 697 | 299 |
| Categories and their respective weightages | Primary Articles: (22.6%)Manufactured products (64.2%)Fuel and Power (13.2%) | Food and beverages (45.86%)Pan, Tobacco and Intoxicants (2.38%) Clothing and Footwear (6.53%)Housing (10%)Fuel and Light (6.84%): Electricity, LPG, Kerosene etc. (Does not include Petrol and Diesel)Miscellaneous- Education, Healthcare, Transportation and Communication etc. (28.32%) |
| Weightage given to Food Articles | WPI-Food Index (24%): Food articles from "Primary Articles" and "Manufactured Food Product". | Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI): (39%): Out of 12 sub-groups contained in 'Food and Beverages' group, CFPI is based on ten sub-groups, excluding 'Non-alcoholic beverages' and 'Prepared meals, snacks, sweets etc. (For Details, refer to Rau’s Economic Survey Video) |
| Impact of increase in Food items | Less impact on WPI as compared to CPI | Larger impact on CPI |
| Weightage of Fuel and Power | Included in separate category of Fuel and Power (13.2%) | Weightage (~8%): Included in (a) category of Fuel and light and (b) Category of Transportation and Communication (Fuel for Transportation) |
| Highest Weightage | Manufactured products (64.2%) | Food and Beverages (45.9%) |
| Services included | No | Yes |
| Indirect Taxes Included? | No | Yes |
| Targeted by RBI? | No | Yes. The RBI is required to maintain CPI rate of inflation of 4% with a deviation of 2%. |
