Highest retail inflation under Modi is 4.8%, under UPA it was almost 10%, says Joshi
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defended the current 4.8% retail inflation rate, attributing it to global factors like El Nino and the West Asia crisis. He contrasted this with the double-digit inflation seen during the previous UPA government, asserting that India's economy remains resilient.
Why it matters
The statement reflects the government's strategy to manage public perception of inflation by comparing current economic performance with historical data.
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.
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