Retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index, rose to 8.83 per cent in February against 7.65 per cent in January.
According to data released by the Central Statistics Office on Monday, combined retail inflation, calculated on base 2010=100, for rural and urban areas stood at 8.36 per cent and 9.45 per cent in February against 7.28 per cent and 8.25 per cent, respectively, in January.
The increase in February has been attributed to higher prices of protein-based items and edible oil products. Only vegetable prices saw a decline of 4.73 per cent over the February 2011 level.
The prices of egg, meat and fish went up by 10.62 per cent. Milk and its products, too, turned costlier by 15.76 per cent, year-on-year.
Cereals and products saw a moderate rise in prices at 2.40 per cent in February while pulses and products increased 4.17 per cent.
There was a 12.76 per cent rise in inflation in the oil and fat category. Condiment spices were costlier by 8.68 per cent.
Price of fuel and light, and clothing, bedding and footwear segments were also in double digits.
The all-India CPI data, released monthly since January 2011, is in addition to three retail price indices -- agricultural labourers, rural labourers and industrial workers – prepared by the Labour Ministry.