CPI inflation 4.38% in June 2026; food 5.32%
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- Prelims 2020Consider the following statements: The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). …Solve with answer →
- Mains 2024 · GS3What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control…See model answer →
India’s retail inflation (CPI, base 2024) rose to 4.38% in June 2026 from 3.93% in May, MoSPI said on 13 July. Food inflation was 5.32%. Rural inflation was 4.74% and urban 3.92%. Housing inflation was 2.10%. The July CPI is due on 12 August 2026.
- Released
- 13 Jul 2026, MoSPI
- CPI inflation, June 2026
- 4.38% (May final: 3.93%); base 2024=100
- Food (CFPI)
- 5.32% (May: 4.78%)
- Rural / Urban
- 4.74% / 3.92%
- Housing
- 2.10%
- Combined index
- 107.00 (May: 105.91)
CPI inflation in June 2026: what happened?
Retail inflation is what households feel at the kirana and the vegetable stall. After May’s 3.93%, June’s print moved up to 4.38%. Food did most of the work: CFPI rose from 4.78% to 5.32%. The series uses the new 2024 base.
- Year-on-year CPI (base 2024) for June 2026 over June 2025 was 4.38% (provisional).
- CFPI inflation was 5.32%; rural 5.45%, urban 5.09%.
- Housing inflation was 2.10% (rural 2.66%, urban 1.90%).
- Food and beverages division inflation was 5.05%; personal care and miscellaneous 16.72%; restaurants and accommodation 6.91%.
- Items with low inflation included potato (-20.34%) and peas (-9.67%); high inflation included silver jewellery (133.21%), ginger (50.41%) and tomato (31.92%).
- Price data came from 1,407 urban markets and 1,465 villages; June response rate was 100% in both.
What is the CPI series with base 2024?
- The All India Consumer Price Index measures retail price change for a fixed basket of goods and services.
- The current series has base year 2024 (index = 100).
- The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) tracks food alone.
- Field staff of NSO’s Field Operations Division collect prices on a weekly roster.
- Provisional June figures are followed by finals; May 2026 finals are already out at 3.93% CPI and 4.78% CFPI.
What do the numbers show?
| Measure | June 2026 Rural | June Urban | June Combined | May Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI inflation (%) | 4.74 | 3.92 | 4.38 | 3.93 |
| CFPI inflation (%) | 5.45 | 5.09 | 5.32 | 4.78 |
| CPI index | 107.24 | 106.69 | 107.00 | 105.91 |
| CFPI index | 106.82 | 107.72 | 107.15 | 105.35 |
Which divisions led inflation?
| Division | Inflation (%) |
|---|---|
| Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous | 16.72 |
| Restaurants and accommodation services | 6.91 |
| Food and beverages | 5.05 |
| Paan, tobacco and intoxicants | 4.83 |
| Transport | 4.31 |
| Education services | 3.34 |
| Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels | 1.99 |
| Health | 1.42 |
| Information and communication | 0.43 |
Why does CPI inflation in June 2026 matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Policy | A rising print after May’s 3.93% narrows room for rate cuts. |
| Households | Food at 5.32% hits rural budgets harder (rural CFPI 5.45%). |
| Data | New 2024 base; full response rate supports the provisional print. |
| Watch | Tomato and ginger still hot; potato still deep in deflation. |
What are the challenges in CPI inflation in June 2026?
- Food inflation is rising again after easing earlier in the year.
- Personal care and miscellaneous inflation at 16.72% is far above the headline.
- State-level item indices on eSankhyiki need caution where samples are thin.
- Provisional figures can move when finals arrive.
What should be done next on CPI inflation in June 2026?
- Watch July CPI, due on 12 August 2026.
- Track tomato, ginger and jewellery prices into the monsoon.
- Compare with WPI (fuel-heavy) for pass-through risks.
What can Prelims ask on CPI inflation in June 2026?
- CPI base 2024=100; June 2026 inflation 4.38%; CFPI 5.32%.
- Rural 4.74%, urban 3.92%; housing 2.10%.
- 1,407 urban markets, 1,465 villages; June response rate 100%.
- July 2026 CPI due on 12 August 2026.
- High: silver jewellery 133.21%, ginger 50.41%; low: potato -20.34%.
How to write about CPI inflation in June 2026 in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Retail inflation in India is often food-driven. Analyse the June 2026 CPI print and its implications for monetary policy.
- Intro: CPI 4.38%, CFPI 5.32%, base 2024.
- Drivers: food, personal care; housing soft.
- Rural-urban gap.
- Policy implications for RBI and supply measures.
- Conclusion: watch July print.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-13): CPI inflation (base 2024) was 4.38% in June 2026; food inflation 5.32%.
- Inflation numbers decide how much room the MPC has.
Quotable data pointCPI inflation (base 2024) was 4.38% in June 2026.
PIB: MoSPI: CPI June 2026, 13 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: CPI.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
With reference to CPI inflation in June 2026 (base 2024), consider the following:
1. Combined inflation was higher than in May 2026.
2. Urban inflation was higher than rural inflation.
3. Food inflation (CFPI) was above 5%.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (MoSPI), 13 Jul 2026: rural 4.74% > urban 3.92%.
The Consumer Price Index series currently in use for the All India CPI has base year
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (MoSPI), 13 Jul 2026: base year 2024.
Questions students ask about this
What was CPI inflation in June 2026?
4.38% year on year on the 2024 base, up from 3.93% in May 2026 (final).
What was food inflation?
CFPI inflation was 5.32% (rural 5.45%, urban 5.09%).
What is the base year of the current CPI series?
2024 (index = 100).
When will July 2026 CPI be released?
On 12 August 2026, or the next working day if the 12th is a holiday.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MoSPI: CPI June 2026, 13 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending