National Economy Economy & Banking Reports & Indices

Retail inflation climbs to 6.09% and food inflation to 8.94% on the new consumer price index series

12 November 2026

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has put out the Consumer Price Index numbers for October 2026.
Retail inflation measured by the CPI stood at a provisional 6.09% for the month, counted against October 2025.
The index now runs on a new base year, 2024=100, replacing the older series.
Villages saw prices rise faster than towns: rural inflation was 6.63% and urban inflation 5.41%.
Food prices were the main pressure point, with the Consumer Food Price Index showing 8.94% inflation.
For September 2026 the final combined CPI inflation figure was 5.54%, so October marks a clear rise.
The CPI is the measure the Reserve Bank watches for its inflation target, which makes this release a monetary policy input.

CPI inflation, October 2026: 6.09% Food inflation (CFPI): 8.94% Rural inflation: 6.63% Urban inflation: 5.41%

Why it matters for exams: The CPI is the inflation measure named in the RBI's flexible inflation targeting framework, and its base year and the CFPI are standard economy questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

12 November 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

In plain words

CPI Consumer Price Index — It tracks the change in retail prices paid by households.

CFPI Consumer Food Price Index — The food-only part of the CPI basket.