Inflation rose to 4.13 percent for the week ended June 23, on the back of higher food costs, from 4.03 percent a week earlier, but was lower than the 4.84 percent registered a year ago, according to the wholesale price index, India's closely watched cost-of-living monitor.

This week's figure, which defied analysts' forecasts that it would remain flat, was still comfortably within the central bank's medium-term inflation target of 4.0 to 4.5 percent and well below its goal of close to five percent for the current financial year to March 2008.

Economists have said the central bank will be closely watching the inflation pattern ahead of its next policy review on July 31, but they expect it to leave interest rates on hold.

The rise had no impact on the share market, which raced past the 15,000 points mark for the first time.

The benchmark Sensex rose as much as 145.33 points or 0.97 percent to a new intra-day record of 15,007.22, before closing at 14,964.12, up 102.23 points or 0.69 percent.

Some economists say the central bank may shift its monetary policy stance to neutral from hawkish at its end of the month meeting but others say rising crude oil prices could upset the picture.

The central bank has hiked benchmark interest rates nine times since late 2004, driving borrowing costs to five-year highs.

Among food items, maize, fish-marine products, fruits and vegetables and pulses cost more as did dairy products. Mineral prices also rose.