The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour & Employment has released the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for October 2025, presenting a detailed overview of price movement across major consumption groups. Compiled from retail price data collected from 317 markets across 88 key industrial centres, the CPI-IW serves as a vital indicator of cost-of-living trends for India’s industrial workforce.
Overall Index Sees Marginal Uptick
For October 2025, the All-India CPI-IW rose by 0.4 points, moving from 147.3 in September to 147.7. This marginal climb signals steady price behaviour in most consumption categories, influenced largely by movements in food and miscellaneous expenses.
Inflation Falls Sharply Compared to Last Year
One of the standout highlights of the latest release is the significant moderation in year-on-year inflation.
- Inflation in October 2025: 2.21%
- Inflation in October 2024: 4.41%
This nearly 50% drop in inflation indicates improved price stability and relief for industrial workers, especially amid global commodity and supply chain fluctuations.
Group-wise Performance: What Drove the Index Movement
A closer look at the sectoral indices reveals how different consumption groups influenced the overall CPI-IW:
1. Food & Beverages
- September: 151.1
- October: 151.8
A noticeable rise in food prices contributed significantly to the overall index increase.
2. Pan, Supari, Tobacco & Intoxicants
- September: 169.1
- October: 170.4
This group recorded one of the more pronounced jumps, reflecting higher costs of consumables in this category.
3. Clothing & Footwear
- September: 155.1
- October: 154.6
A slight dip was observed, possibly due to seasonal variations or easing textile input costs.
4. Housing
- September: 137.7
- October: 137.7
No change was recorded, indicating stable residential rental and housing-related expenses.
5. Fuel & Light
- September: 152.8
- October: 152.8
Energy costs remained steady during the month.
6. Miscellaneous Group
- September: 144.1
- October: 144.7
A modest rise reflects increased expenditure on services, transportation, and other daily needs.
What This Means for Workers and Policymakers
The moderate rise in the index combined with significantly lower inflation brings a mixed but generally positive scenario for workers. While some essential categories like food show slight price increases, the overall inflation moderation offers relief and helps maintain purchasing power.
For policymakers, the dataset provides crucial insights for planning wage revisions, dearness allowance (DA) adjustments, and industrial sector welfare measures.