New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- India's retail inflation likely held steady at 4.4% in July 2026 despite a broad-based increase in food prices, according to a Mint poll of 18 economists.

A favourable base, with Consumer Price Index (CPI)-linked inflation having eased from 2.3% in June 2025 to 1.6% in July 2025, helped offset some of the upward pressure from food prices.

Economists expect CPI inflation to come in between 4.3% and 4.6% in July, with all but two forecasting a marginal pick-up from the previous month. The median estimate, if realized, would mark the second consecutive month above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 4% medium-term target.

The official data is scheduled to be released on 12 August.







Most economists expect the head...