- Overall CPI: 117.42 (base 2020=100)
- Monthly rise: 0.3%
- Yearly rise: 2.4%
- Core CPI (ex-food & energy): 113.79
- Core monthly rise: 0.4%
- Core yearly rise: 2.2%
- Biggest monthly jump: Recreation & culture +1.3%
- Only drop: Furnishings -0.6%
- Food basket: unchanged this month
- Transport index: +1.0% after last month’s dip
India’s cost of living edged higher in October 2025, with the Consumer Price Index touching 117.42 points on a 2020 base of 100. That marks a gentle 0.3 percent increase over September and a solid 2.4 percent gain compared to October last year.
What Moved the Needle This Month
Prices for everyday services and goods showed mixed trends. People paid noticeably more for outings and travel, while home furnishings actually became cheaper.
Winners in the Basket
- Recreation and culture: up 1.3 percent
- Transport: up 1.0 percent
- Clothing and footwear: up 0.7 percent
- Restaurants and hotels: up 0.4 percent
Items That Cooled Off
- Furnishings and household gear: down 0.6 percent
- Education: down 0.1 percent
Food prices and liquor stayed exactly where they were in September, giving households a small breather on grocery bills.
Core Inflation Remains Steady
Stripping out volatile food and fuel, the core index reached 113.79 points. It grew 0.4 percent from September and 2.2 percent over the year. Policymakers watch this number closely because it reveals underlying price pressures.
Eight-Month Snapshot (2025)
| Month | CPI | MoM % | YoY % |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 116.29 | 0.2 | 2.1 |
| April | 116.38 | 0.1 | 2.1 |
| May | 116.27 | -0.1 | 1.9 |
| June | 116.31 | 0.0 | 2.2 |
| July | 116.52 | 0.2 | 2.1 |
| August | 116.45 | -0.1 | 1.7 |
| September | 117.06 | 0.5 | 2.1 |
| October | 117.42 | 0.3 | 2.4 |
Why October Matters
The 2.4 percent annual headline rate is the highest since June and signals that festive spending and fuel costs are nudging prices upward. Yet the steady core rate near 2.2 percent suggests no runaway inflation spiral.
For salaried families, dearness allowance revisions next year will hinge on these very numbers. Retailers, meanwhile, are already tweaking margins on apparel and electronics ahead of the wedding season.
Stay tuned to PessNews for monthly updates, plain-English breakdowns, and what the numbers mean for your wallet.