India’s January retail inflation comes at 2.75%; govt revises base year | Economy & Policy News

India’s retail inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January 2026 stood at 2.75 per cent, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI) on Thursday.

Base year change

CPI inflation data for January 2026 shifted the base year to 2024. This update adjusts the index to reflect how spending patterns have changed over the last twelve years. In the new structure, the weight of services will increase and the share allocated to food will be reduced.

New additions include rural housing, online media service provider/streaming services, value-added dairy products, barley and its products, pen drive and external hard drive, attendant, babysitter and exercise equipment.

Notably, the all-India CPI has been revised twice so far and currently uses 2012 as the base year. Food and beverages receive the highest weight in this index, followed by services such as accommodation, fuel and lighting, and transportation, health and education. The weight given to each category is based on official household expenditure surveys and reflects how the average Indian household spends its money.