Page 3 - Latest Updates on Inflation
New CPI series pegs India's retail inflation at 2.75% in January
Officials stressed that the December number under the old series and the January print are not comparable
 "New CPI series pegs India's retail inflation at 2.75% in January")
2024 CPI series rebasing halves index value; inflation rate unchanged
Shift to CPI 2024 base sharply lowers headline index levels in back series, but inflation rate remains identical across rural and urban segments
 "2024 CPI series rebasing halves index value; inflation rate unchanged")
Volatile items such as food and oil have lower weight in new CPI series
Rural still has more weighting than urban despite drop from earlier series
 "Volatile items such as food and oil have lower weight in new CPI series")
An improved index: New CPI will not affect monetary policy in the near term
India's new CPI series modernises inflation measurement, reshapes RBI policy signals, and underscores the need for more market-friendly data release timings
 "An improved index: New CPI will not affect monetary policy in the near term")
A new and comprehensive measure of India's retail inflation takes shape
India's new CPI series reflects changing consumption patterns, digital services and better data, marking a major step forward in measuring inflation accurately
 "A new and comprehensive measure of India's retail inflation takes shape")
Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance minister says Budget aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, citing strong growth and low inflation as a "Goldilocks moment" for the economy
 "Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
India's January retail inflation comes at 2.75%; govt revises base year
January 2026 CPI-based inflation: The inflation remained close to the Reserve Bank of India's lower tolerance threshold
 "India's January retail inflation comes at 2.75%; govt revises base year")
All about the Consumer Price Index: How India tracks retail inflation
CPI tracks retail price changes across India; January 2026 inflation data shifts to a new 2024 base year reflecting updated spending patterns
 "All about the Consumer Price Index: How India tracks retail inflation")
Retail inflation: A brief history before new data series launch on Thursday
India's retail inflation gauge has evolved from fragmented worker-specific indices to a unified CPI framework that now anchors monetary policy and welfare decisions
 "Retail inflation: A brief history before new data series launch on Thursday")
Overnight swap rates suggest RBI pause, hint at possible rate hike
The move comes in the backdrop of RBI raising its immediate GDP growth and inflation forecasts
 "Overnight swap rates suggest RBI pause, hint at possible rate hike")
January retail inflation likely to hit 2.4-3%: Business Standard poll
The old-weight estimates place January CPI inflation at 2.5 per cent- 2.6 per cent, while the new-weight estimates span 2.45 per cent to 3.2 per cent
 "January retail inflation likely to hit 2.4-3%: Business Standard poll")
CPI base revision reflects both methodological rigour, practical relevance
MoSPI's revised CPI modernises price collection, updates weights and aligns with global standards, reshaping how inflation trends are measured and interpreted
 "CPI base revision reflects both methodological rigour, practical relevance")
Gold holds the ground as traders track US inflation data: Analysts
Traders will look for cues from US GDP, PMI, non-farm payroll and inflation data. Also, inflation readings from China, Germany, and India will also be keenly watched
 "Gold holds the ground as traders track US inflation data: Analysts")
RBI walks the line between growth confidence and inflation risk
Inflation risks may prove to be broader than what that explanation implies
 "RBI walks the line between growth confidence and inflation risk")
Business Standard poll: Status quo on repo rate likely in RBI review
Some economists said that a pause is warranted at this juncture to assess the upcoming CPI and GDP data, which will be released in mid to late February 2026 using new base years
 "Business Standard poll: Status quo on repo rate likely in RBI review")
New CPI series expected to push India's headline inflation prints higher
India's new CPI series, with lower food weight and higher core components, may nudge headline inflation higher but is expected to improve policy predictability and ease RBI's targeting
 "New CPI series expected to push India's headline inflation prints higher")
10 years of the inflation targeting framework: What lies ahead next?
As RBI reviews its inflation-targeting framework ahead of 2026, former MPC members back the 4% CPI target, saying the model has anchored expectations despite global shocks
 "10 years of the inflation targeting framework: What lies ahead next?")
Recent consumption measures may boost demand, lift GDP growth: Poonam Gupta
Challenge lies in identifying new sources of growth to sustain an accelerated trajectory, says Poonam Gupta
 "Recent consumption measures may boost demand, lift GDP growth: Poonam Gupta")
Economic Survey: Undervalued rupee aids trade, but investor caution lingers
India's inflation rate will likely be higher in FY27 than in FY26
 "Economic Survey: Undervalued rupee aids trade, but investor caution lingers")
Weighting of food and beverages to be cut sharply in new CPI series
India will sharply reduce the food and beverages weight in the CPI basket as part of a 2024 base-year revamp, aiming to better capture evolving consumption patterns
 "Weighting of food and beverages to be cut sharply in new CPI series")