Inflation in seven charts: From onions to eating out, what pushed prices to an 8-month high

New business data points to the fact that India’s retail inflation inched up to an eight-month high of 4.8 percent in August, extending its steady climb through 2026 as food prices hardened and cost pressures in several services remained elevated. Headline inflation has now risen for seven consecutive months, from 2.7 percent in January.

Food inflation accelerated to 5.95 percent in August from 5.52 percent in July, with sharp price increases in onions and garlic adding to household costs. Inflation in food and beverage serving services additionally rose to 8.41 percent, suggesting that elevated costs are increasingly showing up in prices paid by consumers for eating out.

Price pressures were visible beyond food as well. Inflation in goods transport services nearly doubled to 14.64 percent, while passenger transport and recreational services additionally became more expensive. Gold and silver jewellery continued to keep inflation elevated, while Telangana and Tamil Nadu recorded the highest inflation among major states at 6.27 percent and 5.92 percent, respectively.

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