Rate of inflation likely jumped in November as a weak Indian currency pushed the price of imported fuel up, a recent poll by Reuters indicated.

According to the poll of thirty-two economists, the wholesale price index (WPI) jumped 7.60 per cent in November from the corresponding period of last year, and from 7.45 per cent in the previous month. Economists' projections wholesale prices ranged from 7.12 per cent to 8.10 per cent.

Abhishek Upadhyay, an economist with the Axis Bank, said the WPI inflation probably jumped in November in spite of a favorable base. he added that decline in the Indian currency over the month added to inflationary pressures.

Projecting a hike in inflation in the month of November, Upadhyay said, "(The) decline in the Indian rupee over the month more than offset the fall in global commodity prices, and may have supported imported inflationary pressures."

Food and fuel along with other primary articles account for more than a third of the WPI, and their high cost has helped inflation in remaining obstinately high.

The government has long been trying to convince the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to slash interest rates to provide a much-needed boost to the economy, but the central bank has so far turn down such requests due to high rate of inflation.