Highest retail inflation under Modi is 4.8%, under UPA it was almost 10%, says Joshi

Union Minister for Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) said retail inflation, which has risen to 4.8%, was the highest so far during the 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, while under the UPA regime it had crossed double digits.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi, Mr. Joshi however said that he was very sensitive about the development as it was his department that monitored food inflation. However, he added that attempts to politicise the issue of current retail inflation would not work as retail inflation had risen to 4.8% because of El Nino and other factors including natural calamities. “Otherwise just five to six months ago before the West Asia crisis started, it was just over 1.5%,” he said.

Taking a dig at the Opposition for raising a hue and cry over the 4.8% retail inflation, Mr. Joshi said that during the UPA regime, under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the retail inflation was almost 10% for almost eight years. “In fact, it had crossed double digits and never came down to a single digit,” he claimed.

He said that India’s economy remained resilient despite the difficult global economic situation and claimed that the country’s economic performance had been praised by several world leaders at the recent BRICS summit.

Mr. Joshi said India’s GDP figures could not be hidden and that the country’s economic progress was drawing global attention. “People from across the world are looking at India’s situation and are coming forward to invest in the country. Our exports have increased,” he said.

He criticised the Opposition for focusing on issues such as the menu served at the BRICS meeting instead of discussing India’s economic performance.