The increase in retail inflation was led by food inflation, which came in at a four-month high of 9.5% in December compared with 8.7% in the previous month, but the core inflation falling below 4% for the first time in the post-pandemic period kept the effects contained. On the other hand, industrial output expanding at its weakest pace since March 2023 rising 2.4% in November compared with 11.6% in October, pulled down by an unfavourable base and a decline in manufacturing activity during the festival month, according to another data released by the government.
