Retail Inflation Hits Lowest Since August 2019

New Delhi: India’s annual inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), declined to 3.34 per cent in March this year, compared to the same month of the previous year, the lowest level since August 2019, according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Tuesday.

Food inflation, during March, slowed to 2.69 per cent, which is the lowest level since November 2021.The significant decline in headline inflation and food inflation during the month of March 2025 is mainly attributed to decline in inflation of vegetables, eggs, pulses, meat & fish cereals and milk, according to the official statement.

The key items with the lowest year-on-year inflation in March are ginger (-38.11 per cent), tomato (-34.96 per cent), cauliflower (-25.99 per cent), jeera (-25.86 per cent) and garlic (-25.22 per cent).

The year-on-year housing inflation rate for the month is 3.03 per cent. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of February, 2025 was 2.91 per cent. The housing index is compiled only for the urban sector.

Fuel & light inflation rate for March is 1.48 per cent. While the education inflation rate for the month is 3.98 per cent, the figures showed.