According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material including monoclinic niobium titanium composite oxide particles and a carbon material layer. The monoclinic niobium titanium composite oxide particles can absorb and release Li ions or Na ions and satisfy Formula (1) below. The carbon material layer covers at least a part of surfaces of the niobium titanium composite oxide particles and satisfies Formula (2) below: 0.5≤(α/β)≤2  (1) 0≤(γ/σ)≤0.1  (2)