Which of the following Institution/Office bring out the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data in India?

1. A

   The Reserve Bank of India

   The Reserve Bank of India compiles monetary and financial statistics and publishes inflation-related series such as the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers in some older series, but it does not bring out the all-India Wholesale Price Index. WPI compilation is a government statistical function, not a central-bank one. This option is therefore not the key.

2. B

   The Ministry of Commerce and Industry

   The Ministry of Commerce and Industry brings out the Wholesale Price Index data in India. The series is compiled and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under that Ministry. WPI tracks price movement at the wholesale stage for bulk sale of commodities and is a widely used inflation indicator for industry and policy. Because the question asks which institution or office issues WPI figures, this Ministry is the official key.

3. C

   The Ministry of Finance

   The Ministry of Finance frames the Union Budget and fiscal policy and uses inflation numbers, including WPI, in its analysis. It does not compile or release the WPI series itself. The producing office sits in Commerce and Industry, so this option is not the key.

4. D

   The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

   The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is associated with consumer protection and with the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers through the Labour Bureau linkage in common exam pairing, not with WPI. WPI is not issued from this Ministry. This option is therefore wrong.

Summary. Official key is (b) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry. WPI in India is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser in DPIIT under that Ministry. The Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry use the series; they do not originate it. Consumer-price work is a different family of indices and a different administrative home. Candidates should not confuse WPI with CPI or with RBI monetary statistics. Only (b) names the issuing institution.