India’s headline CPI rose +2.75% YoY in January 2026 (provisional), up from +1.33% YoY in December 2025 and the highest since May 2025.

• All India CPI (General) stood at 104.46 (base 2024=100), with rural at 104.59 and urban at 104.30, indicating similar price levels across sectors.

• Food inflation (CFPI) increased +2.13% YoY, with rural at +1.96% and urban at +2.44%, showing slightly firmer food price pressures in urban areas.

• The CFPI index reached 104.04 overall (rural 103.89; urban 104.31), consistent with the positive annual food inflation reading.

• Housing inflation rose +2.05% YoY, with rural housing at +2.39% and urban at +1.92%, pointing to somewhat stronger housing cost pressures in rural regions.

• The CPI base year has been revised from 2012 to 2024 using the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, aligning the index with updated consumption patterns.

• The classification has expanded to 12 divisions under COICOP 2018 (from 6 groups), broadening category detail and comparability.

• New items added include rural housing, online streaming services, value-added dairy products, and certain electronics and services, while legacy items such as VCR/DVD players and audio cassettes were removed, reflecting shifts in consumer spending composition.