Retail inflation falls to 3.61% in February 2025, lowest since July 2024; food inflation at 3.75%
India's CPI-based retail inflation fell to 3.61% in February 2025, 65 basis points below January and the lowest since July 2024, as per MoSPI data released on 12 March 2025.
Summary
Year-on-year inflation based on the All India Consumer Price Index (base 2012=100) was 3.61% (provisional) in February 2025, down 65 basis points from January and the lowest since July 2024, MoSPI said on 12 March 2025. Food inflation (CFPI) fell 222 basis points to 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. Rural headline inflation was 3.79% and urban 3.32%. The fall was led by vegetables, eggs, meat and fish, pulses and milk products. Items with the highest inflation were coconut oil (54.48%), coconut (41.61%), gold (35.56%), silver (30.89%) and onion (30.42%); the lowest were ginger (−35.81%), jeera, tomato, cauliflower and garlic.
Key facts
- Headline CPI
- 3.61% (Feb 2025), lowest since July 2024
- Fall from January
- 65 basis points
- Food inflation
- 3.75%, lowest since May 2023
- Rural / Urban
- 3.79% / 3.32%
- Highest item
- Coconut oil 54.48%
- Base year
- 2012=100
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation for February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3.61%
MoSPI put February 2025 retail inflation at 3.61% (provisional), the lowest since July 2024.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at the all-India level in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Coconut oil
Coconut oil had the highest inflation at 54.48%, followed by coconut (41.61%), gold (35.56%), silver (30.89%) and onion (30.42%).
Consider the following statements about CPI data for February 2025: 1. Food inflation fell to its lowest level since May 2023. 2. Urban headline inflation was higher than rural headline inflation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: food inflation was 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. Statement 2 is wrong: urban inflation (3.32%) was lower than rural (3.79%).