India’s consumer price index (CPI)
inflation dropped to a 12-month low of 4.75% in May 2024, down from 4.83%
in April, marking a continued trend within the Reserve Bank of India’s target
range of 2-6% since September 2023.
The inflation rates for rural and urban areas stood
at 5.28% and 4.15%, respectively. Despite this decrease, inflation in the food
basket remained elevated at 8.69% in May, slightly lower than 8.70% in April. The Reserve Bank of India aims to
maintain CPI inflation at 4%, with
a margin of 2% on either side, and recent projections suggest a stable outlook
for the coming quarters.
In May 2024, India’s consumer price index (CPI)
inflation reached a 12-month low of 4.75%, indicating a marginal decline from
the previous month’s 4.83%. This aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s target
range and reflects varied inflation rates across rural (5.28%) and urban
(4.15%) areas.
Despite the overall decrease in CPI inflation, food
inflation remained high at 8.69% in May, marginally down from 8.70% in April.
This category continues to influence India’s inflation dynamics significantly.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set a target of
maintaining CPI inflation at 4%, with a range of 2% on either side. Projections
for 2024-25 indicate a stable inflation outlook, with varying rates across
quarters: Q1 at 4.9%, Q2 at 3.8%, Q3 at 4.6%, and Q4 at 4.5%.