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MoSPI Launches CPI with 2024 Base Year, 358 Items, 2.75% January Inflation

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCBankingTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
13 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Base year 2024358 items2.75% inflation Jan 20264% inflation target2-6% tolerance bandFood weight 36.75%
Bodies:MoSPIRBI
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What This Article Covers

1.MoSPI released the new CPI series with base year 2024, revising the item basket to 358 goods/services and incorporating rural house rent for the first time.

2.The classification shifts to UN's COICOP 2018 (12 divisions), with food weight falling to 36.75% from 45.86%, reflecting Engel's Law due to rising incomes.

3.Headline inflation for January under the new series is 2.75%, but direct comparison with the old series is invalid due to basket, weight, and methodological changes.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

MoSPI has overhauled India's key inflation metric, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), by updating its base year to 2024 and revising the consumption basket. This aligns inflation measurement with current spending patterns and introduces methodological changes crucial for monetary policy. For aspirants, understanding the specifics of this update—new basket, classification, and weights—is vital as it directly impacts questions on inflation targeting, economic indicators, and statistical reforms.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

New CPI Base Year2024
Items in New Basket358
Jan 2026 Inflation (New Series)2.75%
RBI's Inflation Target4% (±2%)
Food Weight (New)36.75%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›New CPI Base Year: 2024
  • ›Items in New Basket: 358
  • ›Target this Data: 358 items in the new CPI basket, Food weight 36.75%, Base Year 2024.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: RBI's mandate to target CPI inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of 2-6%.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

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

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the new CPI (2024) series:

1. It has a base year of 2024 and includes rural house rent for the first time.

2. The classification structure is based on six broad groups, similar to the old series.

3. The weight of food in the consumption basket has increased compared to the 2012 series.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the new CPI (2024) series released by MoSPI, what was India's headline retail inflation rate for January 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary significance of revising the CPI base year and consumption basket, as highlighted in the news?

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