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India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dropped to 2.69% during March, driven by lower prices in vegetables, eggs, pulses, and spices. Seasonal corrections in vegetable prices and steady arrivals from the rabi harvest have eased supply pressures, helping food costs stabilize.

This development follows the Reserve Bank of India’s decision on April 9 to cut the repo rate for the second consecutive time, bringing it down to 6%. The central bank also signaled a shift in its stance from neutral to accommodative, indicating its readiness to use monetary tools to support economic growth. The RBI targets an inflation rate of 4%, with an acceptable range of 2% to 6%. Even though core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, ticked up to a 15-month high of 4.1% in February, mainly due to rising gold prices, headline inflation remains within the comfort zone. The central bank noted that uncertainties around winter crop yields have largely diminished, and combined with a healthy kharif output, this has set the stage for further easing of inflation in the coming months.

India’s GDP growth slowed to 6.2% in the fourth quarter of FY 2024, with a full-year estimate of 6.5% for the financial year ending March 2025. This is a sharp drop from the 9.2% growth recorded in the previous fiscal year. Growth concerns have been compounded by external pressures, such as tariff actions by major trading partners, which could reduce export volumes and impact foreign investment. Recent tariff measures are expected to trim about 0.5 percentage points from India’s projected growth for the financial year ending March 2026. Analysts also warn of second-order effects from reduced trade activity and weaker investor sentiment. These external challenges are making domestic policy tools, particularly rate cuts, more critical in maintaining momentum.

The forecast for the upcoming monsoon season is positive, with expectations of rainfall at 105% of the long-term average. This could improve crop yields further and help stabilize or even lower food prices across the country. A favorable monsoon typically boosts rural income, lowers inflation, and contributes positively to the overall economy. The significant fall in inflation gives the Reserve Bank of India room to cut interest rates again if needed, as it seeks to balance price stability with the need to spur growth in an increasingly complex global environment.

With inflation on a downward trend, food prices easing, and the central bank’s accommodative stance, India appears well-positioned to navigate the ongoing economic pressures. The focus now shifts to how effectively fiscal and monetary policy can work together to sustain growth without reigniting inflationary concerns.