New Delhi, June 12 -- India's retail inflation firmed up to 3.93% in May from 3.48% in the previous month, according to provisional data released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation on Friday.

Food inflation, a key constituent of the country's Consumer Price Index, stood at 4.78% under the new series in May, up from 4.20% in April and 3.87% in March. Housing inflation was at 2.12% last month against 2.15% in April, 2.11% in March and 2.11% in February.

Silver, gold, diamond and platinum jewellery as well as vegetables such as tomato, ginger and raisin were among the items that had the strongest inflationary pressure. Potato, peas, cumin, motor cars, jeep, motorcycles and scooters remained the top items with low al...