India is now the global coronavirus hotspot, with cases rising at more than 300,000 daily. The world's worst Covid-19 outbreak in India risks fanning price pressures, threatening to limit options for the inflation-focused central bank to support the economy. State-wise curbs to stem the virus are disrupting domestic supply chains, risking higher prices for everything from essential drugs to cars. A recent weakening in the rupee is worsening the situation, boosting the local cost of imported oil and other raw materials for manufacturing. While the Reserve Bank of India's looser monetary policies last year overlooked above-target inflation, further price pressure amid an expected economic recovery later this year may limit its options. Consumer price inflation is on course to test the upper limit of its 2 per cent-6 per cent target, while recent gains in wholesale prices signal more pressure to come.