Highest retail inflation under Modi is 4.8%, under UPA it was almost 10%, says Joshi

Union Minister for Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) said retail inflation, which has risen to 4.8%, was the highest so far during the 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, while under the UPA regime it had crossed double digits.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi, Mr. Joshi however said that he was very sensitive about the development as it was his department that monitored food inflation. However, he added that attempts to politicise the issue of current retail inflation would not work as retail inflation had risen to 4.8% because of El Nino and other factors including natural calamities. “Otherwise just five to six months ago before the West Asia crisis started, it was just over 1.5%,” he said.