India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 3.93% in May 2026 from 3.48% in April 2026. Rural inflation stood at 4.25%, while urban inflation was 3.53%. The All India CPI index increased to 105.91 in May from 105.12 in April.
Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), increased to 4.78% in May 2026 compared to 4.20% in April. Rural food inflation came in at 4.85%, while urban food inflation was 4.66%. The CFPI index rose to 105.35 from 104.39 a month earlier.
Among major categories, Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods & Services recorded the highest inflation at 18.46%. It was followed by Restaurants and Accommodation Services (5.75%), Paan, Tobacco and Intoxicants (4.83%), and Food & Beverages (4.55%). The lowest inflation was seen in Information & Communication (0.30%), while Housing related inflation stood at 1.73%, Transport at 1.75%, and Health at 1.49%.
The items showing the sharpest price declines were Potato (-23.71%), Peas (-11.47%), Motor Car and Jeep (-7.19%), Cumin/Jeera (-4.59%), and Motorcycle and Scooter (-3.56%). These products recorded the lowest inflation rates at the all India level during May.
On the other hand, the biggest price increases were seen in Silver Jewellery (155.23%), Tomato (48.43%), Gold/Diamond/Platinum Jewellery (40.93%), Ginger (32.49%), and Raisin/Kishmish/Monacca (21.97%). Tomato and ginger prices rose sharply compared with April, contributing to higher food inflation.
Among large states with populations above 50 lakh, Telangana recorded the highest overall inflation at 6.15%, followed by Tamil Nadu (5.11%), Andhra Pradesh (4.90%), Karnataka (4.59%), and Odisha (4.54%). Food inflation in these states was even higher, with Tamil Nadu leading at 7.38%, followed by Karnataka (6.97%), Andhra Pradesh (6.93%), Telangana (6.71%), and Odisha (5.60%). The next CPI inflation data for June 2026 will be released on 13 July 2026.
BBW News Desk is the editorial team of BigBreakingWire, a digital newsroom focused on global finance, markets, geopolitics, trade policy, and macroeconomic developments.
Our editors monitor government decisions, central bank actions, international trade movements, corporate activity, and economic indicators to deliver fast, fact-based reporting for investors, professionals, and informed readers.
The BBW News Desk operates under the editorial standards of BigBreakingWire, prioritizing accuracy, verified information, and timely updates on major global developments.
