Why in the news
Retail inflation cooled to its weakest level in several years, yet price pressures varied sharply from state to state.
Key facts
- CPI inflation: 3.34%, lowest since August 2019.
- Data source: National Statistics Office (NSO).
- RBI target: medium-term goal of 4%.
- J&K figure: includes combined data for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Highest inflation states (%)
| State | Inflation |
|---|
| Kerala | 6.59 |
| Karnataka | 4.44 |
| Chhattisgarh | 4.25 |
| Jammu & Kashmir (with Ladakh) | 4.00 |
| Maharashtra | 3.86 |
Lowest inflation states (%)
| State | Inflation |
|---|
| Rajasthan | 2.66 |
| Gujarat | 2.63 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2.50 |
| Jharkhand | 2.08 |
| Telangana | 1.06 |
Takeaways
- Wide gaps between states point to uneven food price effects and local supply conditions.
- Kerala and Karnataka in the south saw elevated inflation, possibly from higher food and fuel costs.
- The weak Telangana figure is attributed to price control measures and base effects.
Exam angle
- Index: Consumer Price Index, compiled by NSO.
- State with highest CPI inflation: Kerala; lowest: Telangana.
- Previous time inflation was this low: August 2019.