PRESS RELEASE OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ON BASE 2024=100 FOR AUGUST, 2026
Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in August 2026 stood at 4.82% provisionally, while year-on-year food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) reached 5.95%. The data was released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) using a base year of 2024=100. Rural and urban combined general inflation rates were 5.23% and 4.31% respectively.
Why It Matters
Important for economics and current affairs sections of competitive exams like UPSC, Banking, and SSC covering monthly economic indicators and inflation data published by MoSPI.
In Simple Words
The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation released the Consumer Price Index data for August 2026. The overall retail inflation rate is recorded at 4.82% on a year-on-year basis, with rural inflation at 5.23% and urban inflation at 4.31% using the base year 2024=100.
Food inflation for the same period touched 5.95%. Items like silver jewellery, ginger, and onion showed high inflation, whereas tomato, potato, and motor cars recorded low or negative inflation rates across India.
Key Points
- Retail inflation (CPI) for August 2026 is 4.82% (Provisional).
- Food inflation (CFPI) for August 2026 is 5.95% (Provisional).
- Rural and urban CPI inflation rates are 5.23% and 4.31% respectively.
- Base year for the Consumer Price Index is 2024=100.
- Tomato recorded the lowest inflation at -31.09% among key items.
- Silver jewellery recorded the highest inflation at 107.11% among key items.
- Real-time price data was collected from 1,407 urban markets and 1,465 villages.
- CPI for September 2026 is scheduled for release on October 12, 2026.
Exam Angle
A. 4.82%
Source: Press Information Bureau