The Retail Price Index went up by 0.17 per cent in May to reach 101.61, the NSO said.

This primarily reflected an increase of 2.06 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonal price rises in garments.

The Other Goods and Services Index registered a rise of 0.78 per cent, mainly on account of various higher-priced jewellery items. An upward movement of 0.41 per cent in the Transport and Communication Index was due to increased fuel prices.

The Personal Care and Health Index went up by 0.06 per cent, mainly due to higher prices of medicines and certain cosmetics. Lower prices of fruit and poultry contributed to a fall of 0.46 per cent in the Food Index. The Recreation and Culture Index dropped by 0.16 per cent on account of lower-priced computers, while cheaper beverages brought about a 0.08 per cent decrease in the Beverages and Tobacco Index.

In May, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.85 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.35 per cent.