The Retail Price Index went up 1.35 per cent to 106.59 in April from 105.17 in March, the National Statistics Office said.

The NSO said this primarily reflected an increase of 6.46 per cent in the clothing and footwear index due to seasonally higher prices of garments.

Higher airfares caused the transport and communication index to go up by 4.29 per cent. The household equipment and house maintenance cost index registered a rise of 0.9 per cent, mainly on account of an upward movement in the prices of furniture.

Higher gas prices underlay an increase of 0.66 per cent in the water, electricity, gas and fuels index. The recreation and culture Index went up by 0.45 per cent, mainly due to higher prices for gym subscriptions.

An increase of 0.38 per cent was registered in the other goods and services index, mainly due to price rises in non-durable household goods. Costlier make-up articles caused the personal care and health index to go up by 0.29 per cent.

Higher prices of non-alcoholic beverages brought about an increase of 0.17 per cent in the beverages and tobacco index.

The housing index edged up by 0.16 per cent, mainly on account of an increase in the price of materials for the maintenance of dwellings.

The food index registered a drop of 0.89 per cent, mainly due to lower vegetable prices.

In April, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.63 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 2.6 per cent.