April CPI ticks to 3.48% as personal care jumps 17.7% on silver, gold jewellery surge

Headline CPI rose to 3.48% in April 2026 with food at 4.2%. Personal care inflation hit 17.7%, driven by silver jewellery (+144.3%) and gold/diamond/platinum (+40.7%). Restaurants/accommodation up 4.2% on LPG pass-through; clothing/footwear muted at 2.8%. Rate pause likely; hike risk if CPI tops 5%.

— FiledTue, 12 May, 2026, 23:51 IST·First seen Thu, 14 May, 2026, 23:59 IST·Source Forbes India

What happened

India CPI · April 2026 CPI rose to 3.48%, with food at 4.2% and personal care at 17.7% led by silver (+144%) and gold jewellery (+41%). Restaurant inflation

Key facts

  • CPI 3.48% Apr 2026
  • food inflation 4.2%
  • core 3.31%
  • tomatoes +35.3%
  • silver jewellery +144.3%
  • gold/diamond/platinum jewellery +40.7%
  • personal care 17.7%
  • restaurants/accommodation 4.2%
  • clothing/footwear 2.8%
  • transport -0.01%

Why this matters

Jewellery valuations are inflated by bullion tailwinds, making targeted bolt-ons in apparel or organized food retail relatively cheaper while CPI sits below the 5% rate-hike trigger.