India to release state-level inflation data for individual items in new CPI series: Report

Currently, state-wise inflation data is available only at the sub-group level, such as fruits, vegetables, and personal care, while item-specific prices within these categories are published only at the national level.

“We are planning to provide item-level data by state, along with rural and urban breakdowns at the national level, as recommended by the expert group and demanded by the Reserve Bank of India,” the ET quoted an official as saying.

The new CPI series, with 2024 as the base year, is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2026.

Revised item weights will be derived from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24.

The existing CPI series uses 2012 as its base year.

The new series is also expected to include prices of consumer services such as telephone bills, water charges, washerman and barber fees, legal expenses, and plumbing charges to enhance coverage of services data.

“If the items have significant weight, we will include them,” the official said.

According to the HCES 2023-24, consumer services excluding conveyance accounted for 5.3% of average monthly per capita consumption expenditure in rural areas and 5.7% in urban areas.

India’s retail inflation eased to a 75-month low of 2.8% in May, down from 3.16% in April, helped by a decline in food prices.

However, out of 36 states and union territories, 19 recorded inflation higher than the national average. Goa reported the highest inflation rate at 6.8%, followed by Kerala (6.5%), Lakshadweep (6.2%), Punjab (5.2%), and Daman & Diu and Jammu & Kashmir (4.6% each).

Official data for June will be released on July 14.