Inflation

RBI meeting minutes show optimism in economic growth, muted inflation print

The meeting minutes released said that the Indian economy is likely to improve considerably post the trade agreements with US and EU

Higher weight of core inflation in the new inflation series prompt economists to lower headline CPI forecast for FY27

Due to the new series, inflation is seen to be lower than earlier-projected, giving room for the central bank to extend the pause on policy rate further, say economists.

Uptick in month-on-month new CPI signals price pressures in January

The first inflation print under India’s updated CPI series is comfortable, but there’s a month-on-month momentum in January that the RBI can’t afford to brush aside

Pets, parties and personal effects drive January inflation despite softer food prices

Among the fastest rising categories, other personal effects recorded inflation of about 59%, far exceeding the national average

Urban-rural inflation gap narrows as new CPI series reshapes price dynamics

The narrowing of the gap is largely attributable to changes in the weight assigned to food items in the CPI basket

Telangana overtakes Kerala as highest inflation state, Assam records slowest rise

Most large states now hover close to the national average

January retail inflation at 2.75% in first print under new CPI series

First inflation reading under revised 2024-base series reflects lower food weight and broader consumption basket

CPI revamp may give RBI reason to stay on hold

The weighting of volatile items such as food has been reduced to about 36.8% from nearly half previously

Why Kerala may continue to see higher inflation even under the new CPI series

A key factor is the relatively high weight of non-food expenditure in Kerala’s inflation basket. At roughly 66%, non-food items account for a larger share than in most states

Nachos to massagers and international flights: India’s new CPI basket expands as services weigh more

The revised basket also reflects the growing importance of services, discretionary consumption and urban lifestyles, with the weight rising to 30% from 23% earlier

RBI MPC meet: Why did central bank keep repo rate unchanged? Here's what experts say

RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept its repo rate unchanged at 5.25% after a cumulative cut of 125 basis points since February 2025.

RBI governor Malhotra says CPI, growth outlook to be based on new series

New CPI series set to release next week, FY27 GDP projections deferred to April MPC.

RBI’s February rate pattern contrasts with fluid inflation, growth projections

Early fiscal-year forecasts are often revised quickly, keeping focus on evolving macro signals

MPC Poll | RBI likely to hold rates today, focus shifts to liquidity management, transmission

The February policy is expected maintain the repo rate at 5.25% as the RBI shifts focus from rate cuts to liquidity infusion, experts say.

Inflation to stay within RBI’s tolerance band, says FM Sitharaman

The RBI targets a 4 percent headline inflation rate within a tolerance band of 2 percent to 6 percent.

Food weight drops below 40%, rural share rises to 55% in new CPI series

The weight of food and beverages in the headline index will decline sharply to 36.8 percent from 45.9 percent in the current 2012-based series

Inflation likely just 20–30 bps higher under new CPI weights; food's share in CPI to fall below 40%: SBI

A key change in the new CPI series is a sharp reduction in the weight of food and beverages to 36.75 percent from 45.86 percent in the current 2012-based series

Govt panel proposes cutting share of volatile food prices in inflation gauge

The new CPI series is expected to be released on February 12, according to the Economic Survey for fiscal year 2025-26

What will India’s inflation trajectory look like, going forward? Economic Survey dives in

The Survey expects inflation to rise over the next two years. That may be less a warning signal and more a return to balance.

Why coping with inflation feels easy, until it suddenly isn’t

Small annual increases do not look dangerous, but over time they quietly overwhelm income, savings and good intentions.

GST cuts show up fastest in durables and automobiles as prices fall sharply

Big-ticket items see quicker pass-through, while everyday goods show only modest relief

Overall inflation stays below 2%; protein inflation rises

While inflation has remained below 2 percent for four consecutive months, not all items have been witnessing a decline

Retail inflation rises to 3-month high of 1.33% in December; economists split on February cut

At 2.2%, the 2025 average is the lowest in 12 years. It is the final CPI print under the 2012 base year. Starting January reading (to be released on February 12), the CPI series will shift to a new 2024 base

Inflation, consumption outlook 2026: Policy support and low inflation expected to sustain demand recovery

After a year of easing price pressures and policy-led income support, economists say consumption momentum that strengthened in late 2025 is now feeding into the 2026 outlook.

OPINION | Budget 2026-27 needs to P.I.V.O.T

The aim should be to look beyond immediate growth prospects to realising a long-term goal of transforming the economy through a relentless focus on five key parameters