Wholesale price-based inflation remained below the psychological two-digit scores inching up marginally to 9.9 per cent in March from 9.89 per cent in the previous month.
The hike was on account of rising prices of sugar and pulses. Food inflation for the week ended April 3, however, slid to 17.22 per cent from 17.70 per cent in the previous week.
The fall was mainly on account of cheaper potato and onions that fell by 23.71 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively on annual basis.
According to the monthly inflation data, sugar prices rose by 48.75 per cent in March year-on-year while pulses turned costlier by 31.40 per cent.