Food Inflation Pushes Consumer Prices Higher in India

India’s inflationary pressures re-emerged in October, driven largely by higher food and vegetable prices that offset recent energy cost relief. Government data showed a sharp rise in staples such as onions and pulses, pushing headline CPI close to 6%. Economists said rural consumption patterns and festive demand likely accentuated short-term volatility. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to maintain a cautious stance in its next policy review while monitoring supply-chain recovery. Analysts warned prolonged food inflation could dent household budgets and consumption momentum.