Behind the number, food and fuel prices are quietly squeezing wallets. Food inflation jumped to 5.2%, and transport fuel inflation hit 7.55%; all while core inflation (which excludes food and fuel) stayed steady at 4%. This means your daily groceries and petrol bills are burning more cash, even if the headline number looks calm. The RBI’s holding rates steady for now, betting this surge is temporary. But if monsoon fails or global oil stays volatile, that calm could crack. For job aspirants and salaried folks, it’s a reminder; your salary hike better outpace this stealth inflation, or your savings are shrinking faster than you think.