New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- With Diwali 2026 approaching, households tend to spend more on groceries, festive clothing, home decor, gifts and other seasonal purchases. How have prices of these items changed over the past year, and which expenses could put additional pressure on festive budgets?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), CPI retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026, from 4.83% in August 2026.

While prices in several household and festive-shopping categories have risen year on year, some items have recorded a decline in inflation or negative inflation. Here is what consumers should know before planning their 2026 Diwali shopping budget.

The Consumer Price Index (C...