India’s CPI inflation August 2026 reading stood at 4.82%, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on September 14. Retail inflation was higher than the 4.45% recorded in July 2026.
Rural inflation stood at 5.23%, while urban inflation was 4.31% in August. The corresponding Consumer Price Index (CPI) values were 109.27 for rural, 108.07 for urban and 108.74 for the combined category, compared with 107.95 for the combined category in July.
Food inflation reaches 5.95%
Food prices recorded a higher rate of inflation in August. Inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) rose to 5.95%, compared with 5.52% in July.
Rural food inflation was 6.13%, while urban food inflation was 5.64%. The CFPI stood at 110.70 in rural areas, 110.72 in urban areas and 110.71 on a combined basis.
At the division level, food and beverages recorded combined inflation of 5.66%. Other notable rates included restaurants and accommodation services at 8.38%, transport at 4.60%, paan, tobacco and intoxicants at 4.71%, and clothing and footwear at 3.56%. Health had the lowest division-level inflation among the listed categories at 1.34%.
Telangana tops high-inflation states
Among states with populations above 50 lakh as per Census 2011, Telangana recorded the highest headline inflation at 6.27%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 5.92%, Madhya Pradesh at 5.55%, Andhra Pradesh at 5.53% and Odisha at 5.52%.
For food inflation, the five highest rates were recorded in Maharashtra at 8.10%, Andhra Pradesh at 8.07%, Tamil Nadu at 7.96%, Karnataka at 7.58% and Telangana at 7.33%.
MoSPI said real-time price data were collected from 1,407 selected urban markets, including online markets, and 1,465 villages covering all States and Union Territories. The response rate during August 2026 was 100% in both rural and urban markets.
The CPI for September 2026 is scheduled to be released on October 12, 2026, or the next working day if that date is a holiday. State and item-wise indices are available through the MoSPI eSankhyiki portal.
Q1. What was India’s CPI inflation in August 2026?
India’s CPI inflation was 4.82% in August 2026, according to provisional MoSPI data.
Q2. What was food inflation in August 2026?
Food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index was 5.95% in August 2026.
Q3. What were rural and urban inflation rates in August 2026?
Rural inflation was 5.23%, while urban inflation was 4.31%.
Q4. Which state recorded the highest headline inflation?
Among states with more than 50 lakh population as per Census 2011, Telangana recorded the highest headline inflation at 6.27%.
Q5. When will September 2026 CPI data be released?
MoSPI is scheduled to release September 2026 CPI data on October 12, 2026, or the next working day if October 12 is a holiday.
