India retail inflation hits eight-month high at 4.82% in August

India's retail inflation accelerated to an eight-month high of 4.82% in August 2026, driven by rising food and fuel prices, strengthening expectations for an interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rose from 4.45% in July, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Monday. Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, climbed to 5.95% in August from 5.52% in July, with sharp increases in the prices of staples such as ginger, onion, and garlic. The personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services category recorded the highest inflation at 15.17%. Wholesale price index (WPI) inflation also rose to 9.92% year-on-year in August, up from 9.78% in July, driven by mineral oils, food articles, and manufactured items. The August CPI figure, which is provisional, marks the third consecutive month inflation has been above the RBI's 4% medium-term target, though it remains within the central bank's 2% to 6% tolerance band. Rural inflation stood at 5.23%, while urban inflation was 4.31%. Among states, Telangana recorded the highest retail inflation at 6.