May Retail Inflation Likely Eased to 3%, Lowest in 6 Years

India's retail inflation likely eased further to 3.0% in May from 3.2% in April, driven by softening food prices, particularly in cereals and pulses, and aided by a favourable base effect, according to a Mint poll of 15 economists.

- Nandita Venkatesan & Pragya Srivastava

NEW DELHI:

If the projections hold, this would mark the lowest inflation print in six years and the longest streak of continuous easing in at least five years. Official data is due on Thursday.

"Food inflation, which was 7.9% in May 2024 and 2.14% in April 2025, is expected to ease further to 1.96% in May 2025, partly on the back of high base effect and partly due to softening cereals and pulses prices during the month," said Union Bank of India in a note last week.