March 2026 presented a picture of cautious stability for vegetarian households and modest relief for non-vegetarian ones. While cheaper onions, potatoes and pulses delivered welcome savings, the surge in tomato, oil and fuel prices ensured that the overall impact remained balanced rather than decisively downward.
The centre has sounded an alarm over the likely impact of El Niño on India's 2026 southwest monsoon, warning that 315 districts across 12 states could face significant rainfall deficits during the crucial kharif cropping season.