Published: 22 February 2026Economy
India Revises CPI Base Year to 2024: Food Weight Reduced, Services Weight Increased
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) revised the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year from 2012 to 2024, based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24. The new CPI series adopts COICOP 2018 classification, expanding coverage from 299 to 358 items.
Food's weight was reduced to 36.75% while housing and utilities rose to 17.67%, reflecting changing consumption patterns. New items include OTT subscriptions and rural house rent. Under the new base, January 2026 CPI inflation was 2.75%, significantly below the RBI's 4% target. Key state-wise data: Telangana (4.92%), Kerala (3.67%), Tamil Nadu (3.36%), Rajasthan (3.17%), Karnataka (2.99%).
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What classification system does the new CPI 2024 series adopt?
Explanation · Correct answer DThe new CPI series adopts Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) 2018.
Frequently asked questions
Why did **India revise its CPI base year to 2024** and what changed?
**India revised the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year from 2012 to 2024** to better reflect current consumption patterns; the revision **reduced the weight of food** in the basket and **increased the weight of services**.
What is the new **CPI base year 2024** and how does it change inflation measurement?
With **CPI base year 2024**, India's inflation measurement now gives less weight to **food and beverages** and more to **services like healthcare, education, and housing**, reflecting India's evolving consumption patterns.
How does reducing **food weight in CPI** affect reported **inflation in India**?
Reducing **food weight** in CPI means food price spikes have smaller impact on headline inflation; India's reported **CPI inflation** under the new base year tends to be lower when food prices are high.
What was India's **CPI inflation** under the **new base year 2024**?
Under the **new CPI base year 2024**, India's February 2026 inflation was reported at **3.21%**, lower than what it would have been under the old base year methodology due to structural reweighting.
How often does **India revise its CPI base year** and who conducts the revision?
**India** revises the **CPI base year** approximately every **10-12 years**; the revision from 2012 to 2024 was conducted by the **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)**.
