New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- India's retail inflation rose to 5.54 per cent in September from 4.83 per cent in August, driven by a sharp increase in food inflation, which climbed to 7.74 per cent from 5.97 per cent in the previous month, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Monday.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate increased by 0.71 percentage points during September, while food inflation rose by 1.77 percentage points, indicating higher price pressures in the food category.

According to the ministry's data, retail inflation in rural areas increased to 6.08 per cent in September from 5.24 per cent in August. Urban inflation also rose, reaching 4.88 per cent compared with 4.3...