According to the latest government data, retail inflation for December 2024 has slowed to 5.22%, the lowest in the last four months. This is mainly due to easing prices in the food basket, with food inflation dropping to 8.39% compared to 9.04% in November. The Reserve Bank of India has raised the inflation projection for the current fiscal year to 4.8%, citing lingering food price pressures. Stay updated with the latest news on NDTV.com from India and around the world.
Retail Inflation Falls to 4-Month Low of 5.22% in December 2024
Background
Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is a key indicator of the rate at which prices are rising for goods and services purchased by consumers. The CPI tracks changes in the prices of a basket of essential commodities, housing, fuel, and other consumer goods.
In recent months, retail inflation in India has been a source of concern for policymakers. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its policy interest rates to combat rising prices. However, the latest data from the government shows that retail inflation has moderated in recent months.
Current Trends
According to the latest data released by the government, retail inflation for December 2024 has slowed to 5.22%. This is the lowest level of inflation in the past four months. The easing of food prices is the primary factor behind the decline in inflation. Food inflation has dropped to 8.39% in December from 9.04% in November.
RBI's Inflation Projection
Despite the recent moderation in inflation, the RBI has raised its inflation projection for the current fiscal year to 4.8%. The RBI cited lingering food price pressures as the reason for the upward revision.
Impact on Consumers and Businesses
Lower inflation benefits consumers by reducing the cost of living. However, it can also impact businesses by reducing demand for products and services. Businesses may have to adjust their pricing and production strategies to adapt to the changing economic conditions.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
What is retail inflation?
How is retail inflation measured?
What is the target inflation rate set by the RBI?
What are the key factors influencing retail inflation in India?
What are the potential impacts of high inflation?
In a surprising move, the Indian government has reportedly blocked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of international news agency Reuters in India, citing a legal request. While the page is still accessible outside of India, there has been no official explanation as to why it has been restricted within Indian territory. This development is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Indian government to regulate online content, leading to concerns over free speech and media freedom. Reuters has yet to issue a statement, and more details are expected to emerge as the story develops.
The Rochester City School District in New York is seeking input from the public on their electronic device policy before the state's restrictions on smartphones in schools take effect. The district has released a survey and will hold a meeting to discuss the policy, which was prompted by legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. All schools in the state must have a plan in place for implementing the policy by August 1st.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) launched a campaign on June 16, providing "Bus Pass Direct to School" for students. Through this initiative, 5,21,354 students have been able to benefit from subsidized transportation within just 15 days. In addition, girls up to Class 12 are receiving free bus passes under the "Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Yojana." This new method of distribution has saved valuable time for students and parents who previously had to visit long queues at bus pass centres. However, Minister Pratap Sarnaik has also issued a strict directive to ensure regular operation of school buses in rural and tribal areas, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted transportation for students' access to education.
Arsenal has a major deadline this summer to finalize deals in the transfer market, with reports suggesting agreements for Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres. Head coach Mikel Arteta is setting a strict deadline for negotiations and the team's pre-season schedule has been released, including matches against AC Milan, Newcastle, and Spurs. The Gunners will also be competing in the Club World Cup, which can be streamed on DAZN. Stay updated on all the latest news and rumors surrounding the Emirates squad as they prepare for a crucial season.
Nithin Kamath, the co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, commends India's market watchdog SEBI for taking decisive action against US-based trading major Jane Street for manipulating the Bank Nifty index. Kamath praises SEBI for maintaining a strong and transparent regulatory environment, while cautioning about potential implications on the market due to a significant presence of proprietary trading firms like Jane Street. The firm has been accused of making extraordinary profits through complex strategies and ignoring warning alerts from Indian exchanges.
Kashmiri apple farmers are facing a difficult situation as record heat and dry spells threaten their annual harvest. The region, known for its rich apple production, is experiencing a worrying trend as the changing climate jeopardizes the livelihoods of these farmers. With extreme weather conditions becoming more frequent, farmers are left to worry about the future of their crops and the impact on their business. Join our WhatsApp channel to stay updated on the latest news and videos from Kashmir's apple farms.
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has finally released the highly anticipated RRB Group D result scorecard on December 27, 2022. Candidates can now check their results by visiting the official website of RRB at rrbcdg.gov.in. Keep yourself updated with the latest developments by clicking on the provided link.
Under the 'Pratibhashali Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana', the Madhya Pradesh government has distributed a total of Rs 235.58 crore to 94,234 meritorious students who scored 75 per cent or more marks in their Class 12 board exams. This initiative aims to support the students' education and equip them with necessary tools like laptops to help them excel in their academic pursuits. Since its launch in 2009-10, the scheme has benefitted over 4.3 lakh students with a total disbursement of over Rs 1,080 crore.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken action against US-based Jane Street Group for allegedly manipulating the Indian stock market. SEBI claims that the group carried out large-scale, aggressive trades on expiry days, particularly targeting Bank Nifty and Nifty 50 index constituents. This strategy involved buying stocks in the morning and selling them in the afternoon, resulting in a net options profit of Rs 673 crore on just January 17, 2024.
SEBI has ordered the impounding of Rs 4,840 crore in unlawful gains and the freezing of all debit transactions linked to Jane Street entities, including JSI Investments Pvt Ltd, Jane Street Singapore Pte Ltd, and Jane Street Asia Trading Ltd. This comes after a 105-page interim order by SEBI accused Jane Street and its affiliates of using high-frequency algorithmic trading strategies to artificially influence index levels and make profits from derivatives. Although not directly named, Nuvama Wealth Management's association with Jane Street has raised concerns among investors. As a result, Nuvama's stock plunged by Rs 838.00 in a single session, with the broader market also feeling the effects as the Nifty Capital Markets index fell by 2%.