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MoSPI Revises CPI Base to 2024, Gold Weight Drops to 0.62%, Silver to 0.31% in New Basket

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingPrelims HighMains High
13 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Base year 2024Retail inflation 2.75% in JanuaryOld CPI weight: gold 1.08%, silver 0.11%New CPI weight: gold/diamond/platinum jewellery 0.62%New CPI weight: silver jewellery 0.31%December 2025 CPI inflation: old series 1.33%, new series 1.17%
Bodies:MoSPIICICI Securities Primary Dealership
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.MoSPI released a new CPI series with 2024 as the base year, replacing items like CDs with modern goods such as headphones and ear pods.

2.A significant change is the reduced weight of gold/silver jewellery in the basket, though their high price inflation significantly impacted the 2025 headline inflation number.

3.Comparing inflation rates between the old and new series is invalid ('apples and oranges') due to a completely revised basket, methodology, and data sources.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Ministry of Statistics has released a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with a 2024 base year, modernizing the consumption basket. Key changes include reduced weight for food items and inclusion of new goods like headphones, alongside revised weights for gold and silver. The update aims for more accurate inflation measurement but creates challenges for historical comparisons, making understanding the 'back-series' crucial for exam aspirants.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

New CPI Base Year2024
CPI Inflation (Jan, New Series)2.75%
Old Gold Weight (CPI)1.08%
New Gold/Diamond/Platinum Weight0.62%
New Silver Jewellery Weight0.31%
Responsible MinistryMinistry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›New CPI Base Year: 2024
  • ›CPI Inflation (Jan, New Series): 2.75%
  • ›Target this Data: New CPI base year is 2024.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • ›Target this Change: Combined weight of gold/diamond/platinum jewellery is 0.62% in the new series.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for releasing the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series:

1. It uses 2024 as the base year for calculating price changes.

2. The weight of food and beverages in the new CPI basket has been increased compared to the old series.

3. The new series includes items like headphones and excludes obsolete items like audio cassettes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news article, what is the combined weight of gold, diamond, and platinum jewellery in the new CPI basket?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary challenge highlighted in comparing inflation data between the old and new CPI series, as discussed in the article?

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