Retail Inflation Hits 6.09% in October, Above RBI Limit; Maharashtra at 5.85% as Onion Prices Jump 116%
India’s retail inflation rose to 6.09% in October, above RBI’s tolerance band. Food inflation hit 8.94% and onion prices were up 116% from a year ago.
Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 13th November 2026: India’s retail inflation rose to 6.09% in October 2026 from 5.54% in September, crossing the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance limit of 6%, according to data released by the statistics ministry. Food inflation jumped to 8.94% from 7.74%.
Maharashtra’s inflation was a little lower at 5.85%, but rural Maharashtra saw prices rise 6.86% from a year ago.
The key numbers
| Measure | October 2026 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| All-India CPI inflation | 6.09% | 5.54% |
| Rural | 6.63% | 6.08% |
| Urban | 5.41% | 4.88% |
| Food inflation (CFPI) | 8.94% | 7.74% |
| Maharashtra (combined) | 5.85% | n/a |
The figures use the new CPI series with 2024 as the base year. October’s numbers are provisional.
Which items pushed prices up
Vegetables and spices led the rise. Compared with October 2025, according to the ministry:
- Onion: up 116.22%
- Garlic: up 60.74%
- Ginger: up 48.32%
- Lemon: up 47.30%
Some items got cheaper. Potato prices were 14.24% lower and cauliflower 10.57% lower than a year ago. Pune Pulse, citing economists, also pointed to costlier meat, milk, eggs and imported edible oils.
What this means for a Pune household
For families in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the onion and garlic numbers are the ones felt at the vegetable stall in Mandai or Gultekdi Market Yard. Food is close to 40% of the CPI basket, so a jump in food inflation hits lower-income households hardest.
Fuel costs are also rising locally. CNG went up by Rs 1.25 a kg in Pune from November 13, as we reported in CNG price in Pune today.
How the new CPI series works
The statistics ministry now measures prices using a basket with 2024 as the base year, which better reflects what households buy today, including more services. The index stood at 110.05 in October, against 109.49 in September, which means prices across the basket were about 10% higher than the 2024 average.
Rural inflation (6.63%) ran well ahead of urban inflation (5.41%). In Maharashtra the gap was similar: 6.86% in villages against 5.20% in towns and cities. For Pune district, that means families in rural talukas such as Junnar, Ambegaon or Indapur are likely feeling the price rise more than households in the city.
Will the RBI raise interest rates?
Inflation above 6% puts pressure on the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee, which meets in December. Pune Pulse reported that economists expect a 0.25 percentage point increase in the repo rate to 5.75%. A hike would raise EMIs on floating-rate home and car loans. The RBI has not commented on the October data.
*This article is for general information and is not financial advice.*
What comes next
The November CPI figures are due on December 14. We will update our markets and money section when the RBI announces its December decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is India’s retail inflation for October 2026?
CPI inflation was 6.09% in October 2026, up from 5.54% in September, according to MoSPI.
What is Maharashtra’s inflation rate?
Maharashtra’s combined CPI inflation was 5.85% in October 2026, with rural areas at 6.86% and urban areas at 5.20%.
Why did inflation rise in October?
Food prices rose sharply, led by onion (up 116%), garlic, ginger and lemon, taking food inflation to 8.94%.
When is the next inflation data release?
The November CPI data is scheduled for 14 December 2026.
