The all-India general CPI inflation dipped to 17-month low of 2.33% in November 2018 (new base 2012=100), compared with 3.38% in October 2018. The corresponding provisional inflation rate for rural area was 1.71% and urban area 3.12% in November 2018 as against 2.82% and 4.04% in October 2018.

The core CPI inflation eased to 5.71% in November 2018 compared with 6.20% in October 2018.

The cumulative CPI inflation was higher at 3.94% in April-November FY2019 compared with 3.00% in April-November FY2018.

Among the CPI components, inflation of food and beverages plunged to (-) 1.69% in November 2018 from (-) 0.14% in October 2018. Within the food items, the inflation declined for vegetables to (-) 15.59%, cereals and products 1.25%, egg (-) 3.92% and sugar and confectionery (-) 9.02%, while the inflation also declined for oils and fats 1.59%, fruits 0.21% and milk and products 0.78%. On the other hand, the inflation rose for meat and fish to 4.99%, pulses and products (-) 9.22%, non-alcoholic beverages 3.41% and spices 3.07% in November 2018.

The inflation for housing eased to 5.99%, while that for miscellaneous items declined to 6.15% in November 2018. Within the miscellaneous items, the inflation for transport and communication eased to 6.09%, personal care and effects 4.10%, health 7.16% and household goods and services 5.80%, while it rose for recreation and amusement to 5.90% and education 6.64% in November 2018.

The inflation for clothing and footwear was flat at 3.53%, while the CPI inflation of fuel and light eased to 7.39% in November 2018.