Concept:Core inflation removes volatile items like food and energy to show the stable, underlying trend in prices.Explanation:The Consumer Price Index (CPI) includes all goods and services. Food and energy prices change often due to weather or global events. By excluding them, core inflation gives a clearer picture of long-term price pressure. Central banks like the RBI use core inflation to decide monetary policy. Core inflation = CPI headline inflation – food and energy items. Other options incorrectly use WPI or exclude wrong items.Answer:C. CPI headline inflation minus food and energy items