India’s retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026, up from 4.83% in August, as food inflation accelerated to 7.74%, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on October 12.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), calculated using 2024 as the base year, showed higher inflation in both rural and urban areas. Rural retail inflation increased to 6.08% from 5.24% in August, while urban inflation rose to 4.88% from 4.31%.
Food Inflation Climbs to 7.74%
Food prices recorded a sharper increase than overall retail inflation. The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) showed year-on-year food inflation at 7.74% in September, compared with 5.97% in August.
Rural food inflation reached 8.06%, while the urban rate stood at 7.18%. The corresponding figures for August were 6.17% and 5.64%, respectively.
On a combined national basis, personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services recorded the highest category inflation at 13.75%. Restaurants and accommodation services followed at 9.36%, while food and beverages registered 7.36%. Transport inflation stood at 5.01%.
Onion Prices Rise 108.09%; Silver Jewellery Inflation at 87.80%
Among individual items, onion prices recorded inflation of 108.09% in September, compared with 48.78% in August. Silver jewellery inflation stood at 87.80%, while ginger and garlic recorded inflation rates of 62.85% and 54.62%, respectively. Lemon inflation reached 36.41%.
Some items continued to record year-on-year price declines. Potato inflation stood at -11.50%, tomato at -8.62%, motor cars and jeeps at -4.51%, lady’s finger at -4.48% and coconut at -3.99%.
Tamil Nadu Records Highest State-Level Inflation
Among states with a population exceeding 50 lakh, based on Census 2011, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest headline inflation at 6.81%. Odisha followed at 6.70%, Madhya Pradesh at 6.68%, Telangana at 6.64% and Andhra Pradesh at 6.29%.
Tamil Nadu also recorded the highest food inflation among the five states, at 10.62%. Andhra Pradesh followed at 10.18%, Odisha at 9.58%, Karnataka at 9.00% and Maharashtra at 8.91%.
MoSPI reported a 100% response rate in both rural and urban markets during September. The next CPI release, covering October 2026, is scheduled for November 12, 2026.
Q1. What was India’s retail inflation in September 2026?
India’s retail inflation stood at 5.54% in September 2026, compared with 4.83% in August, according to provisional CPI data.
Q2. What was India’s food inflation in September 2026?
Food inflation reached 7.74% in September 2026, up from 5.97% in August.
Q3. What were rural and urban inflation rates in September 2026?
Rural retail inflation was 6.08%, while urban retail inflation stood at 4.88%.
Q4. Which state recorded the highest inflation in September 2026?
Tamil Nadu recorded the highest headline inflation at 6.81% among the five states with populations above 50 lakh listed in the report.
Q5. When will India’s October 2026 CPI data be released?
The October 2026 CPI release is scheduled for November 12, 2026, or the next working day if November 12 is a holiday.
