Headline CPI Inflation Rises to 3.21% in Feb 2026 Under New Series (2024 Base), Core Inflation Stable at 3.4%

IIP August 2026: Manufacturing Output Rises 9%, Consumer Durables Up 11.1%

India's industrial output (IIP) grew 8% in August 2026, driven by manufacturing (9% growth) and a favourable base effect from pre-GST rate cut inventory adjustments in 2025. While consumer durables posted strong 11.1% growth, the slow 2.1% rise in non-durables signals weak rural/FMCG demand, a key concern for the upcoming festive season.

CPI Inflation Rises to 4.82% in August, RBI MPC to Meet Oct 5-7 for Rate Decision

India's CPI inflation rose to a 8-month high of 4.82% in August, driven by food price spikes in sugar (19% MoM) and onion (22% MoM). This strengthens the case for a repo rate hike at the upcoming RBI MPC meeting (Oct 5-7), which would be the first increase in 3.5 years. The news is critical for exam aspirants as it directly tests monetary policy tools, inflation targeting framework, and current economic data.

CPI Inflation Hits 4.8% (20-Month High), Raises Odds of RBI Rate Hike in October MPC Meet

August CPI inflation surged to a 20-month high of 4.8%, driven by food prices rising 5.7%. This increases the probability of an RBI rate hike in the October MPC meeting, especially with global central banks hiking rates and Brent crude above $100/barrel. For UPSC/Banking aspirants, this is a key data point linking inflation dynamics, monetary policy, and global spillovers.

RBI MPC to Hold Repo Rate as Inflation Nears 4% Target Amid Crude Oil, Monsoon Risks

The RBI's MPC meeting on August 5 is expected to maintain status quo on the repo rate. The article explains the key factors influencing this decision: inflation at the 4% target, rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions (US-Iran), monsoon deficit due to El Niño, mixed high-frequency growth indicators, and actions of other central banks. Students must understand the trade-offs in monetary policy for prelims and mains.

RBI MPC Unanimously Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Maintains Neutral Stance on Inflation

The RBI's MPC unanimously kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% with a neutral stance, as inflation driven by food and fuel prices remains a concern. For exam aspirants, this is a high-yield topic covering monetary policy tools, inflation dynamics, and global central bank trends.

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, MPC Minutes Signal Rate Hike Risk as Inflation Projected to Peak at 5.9% in Q3 FY27

The RBI MPC minutes reveal a cautious stance with the repo rate left unchanged at 5.25% despite rising inflation. Members warned that headline inflation peaking at 5.9% in Q3 2026-27 could warrant a rate hike later in the year. This signals a shift from the earlier easing cycle and underscores the RBI's focus on anchoring inflation expectations.

MoSPI Considers Diary-Based HCES for High-Income Households to Tackle 9.8% Urban Non-Response Rate

To counter rising non-response from affluent households in gated societies, MoSPI is piloting a 'diary-based' self-reporting method for the next Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) in 2027-28. This shift is critical because the HCES data directly impacts CPI basket weights, inflation targeting by RBI, and policy making, but raises concerns about data comparability due to differential recall errors between survey methods.

India GDP Growth May Hit 8% in Q1 2026‑27 on Best Loan Growth in Decade

India’s Q1 GDP data (Apr‑Jun 2026) is expected to surprise on the upside – possibly 7.9‑8% – driven by the best bank loan growth in over a decade (18.3% YoY). Despite the West Asia conflict and high oil prices ($97/bbl), the economy shows robust credit demand from industry and services, signalling strong structural momentum.