3 weeks ago
India Retail Inflation Rises to 4.45% on Food Prices
In India, prices of everyday things usually go up a little every year, and that is called inflation.
In July, inflation went up a bit, from 4.38% in June to 4.45%, and it was the fourth month in a row that prices rose faster.
The price of food went up even more, by 5.52%.
People living in villages saw food prices rise more than people in cities.
Some foods like ginger, garlic, and onions became much more expensive.
Silver jewellery also got a lot more expensive.
But some vegetables, like tomatoes, potatoes, and lady's finger, became cheaper.
The inflation rate is still a bit above the 4% goal set by the Reserve Bank of India, which watches over prices in the country.
Overall, prices are going up faster than the central bank would like, mainly because of food costs.
India's retail inflation rose to 4.45% in July 2026, up from 4.38% in June, marking the fourth straight monthly increase.
Headline inflation stayed above the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target for the second consecutive month.
Food inflation accelerated to 5.52% in July, with rural food inflation at 5.79% outpacing urban areas at 5.05%.
Ginger prices surged 83.62% year-on-year and silver jewellery prices jumped 109.84%, with garlic and onion inflation also rising sharply.
Tomato, potato, and lady's finger prices declined, providing some relief to overall food inflation.
- Who
- Indian consumers, with rural households facing higher inflation than urban households; the data is monitored against the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target.
- What
- India's retail inflation rose to 4.45% in July 2026 from 4.38% in June, driven mainly by elevated food prices.
- Where
- India.
- When
- July 2026, marking the fourth consecutive month of rising inflation and the second month above the RBI target.
- Why
- Persistent food price pressures, including sharp rises in spices and jewellery prices, pushed consumer prices higher.
Policymakers' view
Consumers' view
Reading of the inflation trend
Policymakers' view
The RBI and analysts see the rise to 4.45% as a moderation from earlier highs and a manageable overshoot above the 4% target, driven mainly by food supply shocks.
Consumers' view
Consumers and rural households see the fourth straight monthly increase and elevated food inflation of 5.52% as a growing strain on household budgets, especially for essentials like ginger, garlic, and onions.
Key facts
- Retail inflation (July)
- 4.45%
- Retail inflation (June)
- 4.38%
- Inflation since April 2026
- 3.48% (Apr), 3.93% (May), 4.38% (Jun), 4.45% (Jul)
- RBI inflation target
- 4%
- Food inflation (July)
- 5.52% (up from 5.32%)
- Rural vs urban inflation
- Rural 4.84% vs urban 3.96%; rural food 5.79% vs urban 5.05%
- Biggest price surge
- Silver jewellery, up 109.84% year-on-year
- Biggest food price rise
- Ginger, up 83.62% year-on-year











