Food inflation falls sharply to -5.02%, lowest in current CPI series; GST reduction drives broad price decline
Srinagar, November 12:
Jammu & Kashmir registered a 2.95% inflation rate in October 2025, even as India’s headline inflation plunged to a record low of 0.25%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
This marks a notable contrast to states like Kerala (8.56%) and Karnataka (2.34%), highlighting a relatively moderate price rise in J&K.
At the national level, food inflation dropped sharply to -5.02%, the lowest since the current CPI series began. The report attributes this fall to a full month’s impact of GST reduction, favourable base effects, and price drops in oils, vegetables, fruits, eggs, footwear, cereals, and transport.
The rural inflation in October stood at -0.25%, while urban inflation was 0.88%, reflecting broad-based disinflation trends. The housing sector recorded an inflation rate of 2.96%, while health and education stood at 3.86% and 3.49%, respectively.
J&K’s inflation rate of 2.95% placed it among the top five states showing a moderate price increase, alongside Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
The NSO noted that India’s headline inflation dropped by 119 basis points from September’s 1.44%, marking the lowest year-on-year rise in the CPI series to date.
Officials said the decline in both headline and food inflation reflects the visible impact of GST cuts across sectors and improving price stability in essential commodities.
The CPI report also indicated that price collection was 100% complete in rural areas and 98% in urban markets, ensuring a comprehensive national dataset.
The next CPI release, covering November 2025, will be issued on December 12, 2025, the ministry said.
