India CPI jumps to 3.93% in May as food, jewellery and personal care squeeze wallets

Retail inflation accelerated to 3.93% in May 2026 from 3.48% in April, with food at 4.78%. Personal care surged 18.46%, silver jewellery 155.23%, gold/platinum 40.93%, and restaurants/accommodation 5.75% — tightening discretionary budgets even as potatoes fell 23.71%.

— Source publishedFri, 12 Jun, 2026, 16:29 IST·First seen Fri, 12 Jun, 2026, 16:48 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

MoSPI · India's retail CPI rose to 3.93% in May 2026 from 3.48% in April, with food inflation at 4.78%. Personal care surged 18.46%, silver jewellery 155%,

Key facts

  • CPI 3.93% May
  • CPI 3.48% April
  • food inflation 4.78%
  • personal care 18.46%
  • silver jewellery 155.23%
  • tomatoes 48.43%
  • gold/diamond/platinum jewellery 40.93%
  • restaurants/accommodation 5.75%
  • potato -23.71%