Weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), recorded a decline of 0.54 percent for the combined consumption group during the week ended February 26, 2026, reflecting the impact of the government’s ongoing measures to stabilise prices of essential commodities.
The SPI for the week under review fell to 333.86 points from 335.67 points recorded in the previous week, according to official data available with APP. On a year-on-year basis, however, the SPI registered an increase of 4.23 percent. The SPI, with base year 2015-16 = 100, monitors price movements of 51 essential items across 17 urban centres, covering all expenditure groups.
The SPI for the lowest consumption group (up to Rs 17,732) decreased by 0.71 percent to 323.48 points from 325.80 points, indicating relative relief for vulnerable segments amid continued administrative and supply-side interventions.
Similarly, the SPI for consumption groups of Rs 17,733-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517, Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 declined by 0.68 percent, 0.60 percent, 0.59 percent and 0.47 percent, respectively. During the week, out of 51 monitored items, prices of 14 items (27.45 percent) decreased, 13 items (25.49 percent) increased, while 24 items (47.06 percent) remained stable, suggesting improved market balance.
Major commodities registering week-on-week decreases included tomatoes (29.67%), potatoes (10.62%), chicken (9.03%), onions (7.44%), eggs (3.43%), wheat flour (1.39%), bread (1.12%) and sugar (0.79%), reflecting better supply availability and effective price monitoring.
On the other hand, prices of bananas (4.49%), shirting (1.36%), LPG (0.86%), garlic (0.81%), long cloth (0.70%), mutton (0.63%), pulse masoor (0.47%), lawn printed (0.44%), pulse mash (0.40%), powdered milk (0.26%) and curd and beef (0.25% each) witnessed a slight increase.
On a year-on-year basis, notable increases were observed in gas charges for Q1 (29.85%), wheat flour (29.51%), electricity charges for Q1 (17.33%), tomatoes (16.83%), chilies powder (15.20%), LPG (13.60%), bananas (11.73%), beef (11.69%), firewood (11.40%), powdered milk (10.16%), mutton (8.98%) and gur (8.36%).
However, significant annual declines were recorded in potatoes (52.55%), chicken (29.55%), garlic (26.18%), onions (25.71%), pulse gram (23.74%), eggs (16.22%), salt powder (12.52%) and pulse masoor (11.93%), helping ease overall price pressures. Officials believe that continued administrative vigilance, improved supply management and targeted relief measures are contributing to gradual price stabilisation in essential commodities.