April CPI ticks to 3.48% as personal care jumps 17.7% on silver, gold jewellery surge

Headline CPI rose to 3.48% in April 2026 with food at 4.2%. Personal care inflation hit 17.7%, driven by silver jewellery (+144.3%) and gold/diamond/platinum (+40.7%). Restaurants/accommodation up 4.2% on LPG pass-through; clothing/footwear muted at 2.8%. Rate pause likely; hike risk if CPI tops 5%.

— Filed Tue, 12 May, 2026, 23:51 IST · Source Forbes India · Updated

April 2026 CPI rose to 3.48%, with food at 4.2% and personal care at 17.7% led by silver (+144%) and gold jewellery (+41%). Restaurant inflation 4.2% on LPG pass-through; clothing 2.8%. Rate pause expected; hike possible if CPI tops 5%.

Why this matters

April CPI extends the precious-metals-led personal care surge while restaurant inflation matches the prior signal's 4.2% on commercial LPG pass-through. Rate pause likely unless CPI breaches 5%.

Retail-brand signals steady at 1,052 over the trailing 90 days.