New Delhi, May 13, 2026: India’s retail inflation increased marginally in April, with the Consumer Price Index rising to 3.48 percent compared with 3.40 percent in March, according to data released by the National Statistics Office. The figure came in lower than market expectations and remained below the 4 percent target of the Reserve Bank of India.
The rise marks the fourth consecutive monthly increase in inflation, although price levels continue to remain relatively controlled. The updated CPI series with 2024 as the base year also shows April as the highest reading so far under the new calculation method.
Food prices were the main reason behind the increase. The food inflation rate climbed to 4.20 percent in April from 3.87 percent in March. Within this category, vegetable prices showed mixed movement, with tomatoes and cauliflower becoming costlier while potato and onion prices declined compared with last year.
Despite volatility in global crude oil markets, fuel related inflation stayed limited at the retail level. Transport costs remained almost unchanged, while housing and utility segments showed only a small increase. This indicates that fuel price movements have not fully passed on to consumers yet.
Rural inflation continued to be higher than urban inflation across categories. Rural price growth stood at 3.74 percent compared with 3.16 percent in urban areas, reflecting stronger cost pressures in villages and smaller towns.
A sharp rise was also seen in categories linked to precious metals, with jewellery prices increasing significantly during the month. Silver recorded the highest jump, followed by gold and diamond related items.
Experts noted that inflation in the coming months may depend on weather conditions and global energy trends, which could influence price stability and future monetary policy decisions.
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