New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- India's retail inflation likely rose to a 20-month high of 4.9% in August, from 4.5% the previous month, on account of rising food prices amid deficient rainfall, while price risks from the West Asia war continue, showed a Mint poll of 21 economists.

This would be the third print above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) medium-term target of 4.0% and the highest in the current 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) series. Considering back-series data for older months, though not strictly comparable, it would be the highest print since December 2024.

Economists polled by Mint projected CPI inflation in the range of 4.5-5.1%, with all but one expecting a rise in the print. The official data is scheduled to be released on...