The inflation rate in India rose to 3.9% in May of 2026 from 3.5% in the previous month, the highest since January of the previous year. Still, it was less than market expectations of 4%, remaining below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-point threshold of 4%. Food inflation, which is a major part of the Indian consumer basket, rose to 4.8% from 4.2% in April, also the highest in 16 months, as the war in the Middle East lifted energy and fertilizer prices that are essential in Indian food production. Meanwhile, price growth was high for personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (18.5%) and restaurants and accommodation (5.75%). On the other hand, inflation was muted for transportation (1.75%) and housing and utilities (1.73%). From the previous month, consumer prices rose by 0.8%. source: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)

Inflation Rate in India increased to 3.93 percent in May from 3.48 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in India averaged 5.59 percent from 2012 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 12.17 percent in November of 2013 and a record low of 0.25 percent in October of 2025. This page provides - India Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. India Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Inflation Rate in India increased to 3.93 percent in May from 3.48 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in India is expected to be 3.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the India Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 4.00 percent in 2027 and 4.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-12 10:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 3.48% 3.4% 3.8% 3.8%
2026-06-12 10:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
May 3.93% 3.48% 4% 3.9%
2026-07-12 10:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 3.93% 3.8%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI Clothing and Footwear 107.41 106.84 points May 2026
CPI Education Services 106.21 105.93 points May 2026
Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) 105.26 104.35 points May 2026
CPI Housing and Utilities 103.10 102.83 points May 2026
CPI Recreation, Sport and Culture 104.20 104.15 points May 2026
CPI Restaurants and Accommodation Services 109.91 107.98 points May 2026
CPI Transport 102.73 100.84 points May 2026
Food Inflation 4.78 4.20 percent May 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 105.91 105.12 points May 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 3.93 3.48 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.75 0.27 percent May 2026


India Inflation Rate
In India, the most important category in the consumer price index is Food and beverages (45.86 percent of total weight), of which Cereals and products (9.67 percent), Milk and products (6.61 percent), Vegetables (6.04 percent), Prepared meals, snacks, sweets, etc. (5.55 percent), Meat and fish (3.61 percent), and Oils and fats (3.56 percent). Miscellaneous accounts for 28.32 percent, of which Transport and communication (8.59 percent), health (5.89 percent), and education (4.46 percent). Housing accounts for 10.07 percent; Fuel and light for 6.84 percent; Clothing and footwear for 6.53 percent; and Pan, tobacco and intoxicants for 2.38 percent. Consumer price changes in India can be very volatile due to dependence on energy imports, the uncertain impact of monsoon rains on its large farm sector, difficulties transporting food items to market because of its poor roads and infrastructure and high fiscal deficit. In 2013, the consumer price index replaced the wholesale price index (WPI) as a main measure of inflation.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.93 3.48 12.17 0.25 2012 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
India Inflation Rises to 16-Month High
The inflation rate in India rose to 3.9% in May of 2026 from 3.5% in the previous month, the highest since January of the previous year. Still, it was less than market expectations of 4%, remaining below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-point threshold of 4%. Food inflation, which is a major part of the Indian consumer basket, rose to 4.8% from 4.2% in April, also the highest in 16 months, as the war in the Middle East lifted energy and fertilizer prices that are essential in Indian food production. Meanwhile, price growth was high for personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (18.5%) and restaurants and accommodation (5.75%). On the other hand, inflation was muted for transportation (1.75%) and housing and utilities (1.73%). From the previous month, consumer prices rose by 0.8%.
2026-06-12
India Inflation Rises Less Than Expected
The annual inflation rate in India inched higher to 3.48% in April of 2026 from 3.4% in the previous month, marking the fastest inflation rate in one year, but coming in well below market expectations of 3.8%. It was the fourth reading under India’s new CPI series, which updated the weights of different goods in the index based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey conducted two fiscal years ago, increasing the share of non-food items in the domestic consumer basket. Food inflation jumped to 4.2% from 3.87%. Meanwhile, consumer prices refrained from increasing for a second month for transportation (-0.01% vs -0.05% in March) despite the increase in wholesale energy prices, as the surge in benchmarks due to the war in the Middle East and the weaker rupee lifted fuel costs. In turn, prices for accommodation rose slower (1.71% vs 2.88%). From the previous month, consumer prices rose by 0.27%.
2026-05-12
India Inflation Rises to 1-Year High
The annual inflation rate in India rose to 3.4% in March of 2026 from 3.21% in the previous month to mark the largest inflation rate in over one year, despite coming below median market expectations of 3.48%. It was only the third reading in India's new CPI, which updated the weights of different goods within the index according to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey from two fiscal years ago, increasing the weight of non-food goods int the domestic consumer basket. Food inflation was at 3.87%, picking up from the 3.47% in the previous month. In the meantime, inflation inched higher for restaurants and accommodation (2.88% vs 2.73% in February) and prices were unchanged for transportation (vs -0.05%), despite surges in wholesale global energy prices. From the previous month, Indian consumer prices rose by 0.26%.
2026-04-13