Our Bureau
New Delhi
India’s retail inflation climbed to 3.40 per cent in March 2026, up from 3.21 per cent in February. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows this year-on-year rise, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on April 13.
The increase marks higher price pressures for consumers. Food inflation also went up to 3.87 per cent from 3.47 per cent last month. This comes amid global issues like the West Asia conflict.
Rural areas saw inflation at 3.63 per cent in March, higher than 3.37 per cent in February. Urban inflation rose to 3.11 per cent from 3.02 per cent.
The figure beat a CNBC-TV18 poll estimate of 3.46 per cent but stayed below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4 per cent target. A Mint poll had predicted 3.4 per cent, driven by fuel prices and base effects.
Experts say the CPI now uses 2024 as the base year, replacing 2012. The data highlights steady but rising costs in daily items. Rural households face more pressure at 3.63 per cent. Urban shoppers see milder 3.11 per cent rise.
Government watches these numbers closely for growth plans. Inflation remains manageable under RBI limits.
