June’s 4.4% CPI jump, the first breach of RBI’s 4% target since 2025, signals a turning point. Fuel hikes; ₹7.5/litre more for petrol and diesel; are now rippling through everything: transport, food, even LPG cylinders up ₹89 since the West Asia conflict. What’s more alarming? Non-food inflation is driving the surge, not just food. So while tomatoes cooled, fish, milk, and spices kept heating up. Core inflation held steady at 3.9%, but that’s small comfort when your grocery bill isn’t. For job seekers eyeing government roles, inflation impacts real wages and purchasing power; making every pay bump worth negotiating. Stay alert: price pressures are here to stay, at least until monsoon eases supply chains and global oil calms down. Your next salary hike might need to outpace inflation just to feel like a raise.