While headline inflation saw an uptick, food inflation remained in the negative zone for the seventh consecutive month at (-) 2.71 per cent.

India’s retail inflation rose to a three-month high of 1.33 per cent in December 2025. It is driven mainly by a surge in the prices of kitchen essentials and vegetables. 

According to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation stood at 0.71 per cent in the previous month of November.

While headline inflation saw an uptick, food inflation remained in the negative zone for the seventh consecutive month at (-) 2.71 per cent, though this was an increase from the (-) 3.91 per cent recorded in November. 

The NSO attributed the rise to higher costs for vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, pulses, and personal care items.

Despite the increase, retail inflation remains below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) lower tolerance limit of 2 per cent for the fourth straight month. The government has mandated the RBI to maintain inflation at 4 per cent, with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.

Source: The Tribune