India’s Retail Inflation — 5.5% in September 2026

Why Is It in News?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for September 2026 on 12 October 2026. The data showed that headline retail inflation increased to 5.54%, while food inflation reached 7.74%.

About

Retail inflation measures the change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services over time. In India, it is measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI.

The CPI is an important economic indicator because it reflects changes in the cost of living and is closely monitored by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) while formulating monetary policy.

Key Points

1. Indicator: Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation.
2. Reference month: September 2026.
3. Headline retail inflation: 5.54%, provisional.
4. Release date: 12 October 2026.
5. Released by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
6. Data-collection agency: National Statistical Office (NSO).
7. Base year: 2024=100.
8. Previous month: Retail inflation was 4.83% in August 2026.
9. Rural inflation: 6.08%.
10. Urban inflation: 4.88%.
11. Food inflation: 7.74%, measured through the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI).
12. Rural food inflation: 8.06%.
13. Urban food inflation: 7.18%.
14. Highest item-level inflation among the reported major items: Onion inflation reached 108.09% in September 2026.
15. Why it matters: Rising retail inflation can reduce purchasing power and influence household budgets, monetary policy and interest-rate decisions.
16. Next release: CPI data for October 2026 was scheduled to be released on 12 November 2026.