Retail inflation rises to 3.21% in February 2026 on the new 2024-base CPI
India's retail inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (base 2024=100) rose to 3.21% in February 2026 from 2.74% in January, according to provisional data released on 12 March 2026.
Summary
India's year-on-year retail inflation, measured by the all-India Consumer Price Index (base 2024=100), was 3.21% (provisional) in February 2026, up 47 basis points from 2.74% in January, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said on 12 March 2026. Rural inflation was 3.37% and urban 3.02%. Food inflation (CFPI) rose to 3.47% from 2.13%, and housing inflation was 2.12%. Silver jewellery (160.84%), gold, diamond and platinum jewellery (48.16%) and tomato (45.29%) had the highest inflation, while garlic (−31.09%), onion (−28.20%) and potato (−18.46%) fell the most. This is the second monthly release of the new series: MoSPI shifted the CPI base from 2012 to 2024 on 12 February 2026, using the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023â24 for weights and the UN's COICOP 2018 classification with 12 divisions and 358 items. March data will be released on 13 April 2026.
Key facts
- Released
- 12 March 2026, MoSPI
- CPI inflation, Feb 2026
- 3.21% (Jan: 2.74%) â up 47 bps
- Rural / urban
- 3.37% / 3.02%
- Food (CFPI)
- 3.47% (Jan: 2.13%)
- Housing
- 2.12%
- Highest
- Silver jewellery 160.84%; gold/diamond/platinum jewellery 48.16%; tomato 45.29%
- Lowest
- Garlic −31.09%; onion −28.20%; potato −18.46%
- New series
- Base 2024=100 since 12 Feb 2026; HCES 2023â24 weights; COICOP 2018, 12 divisions, 358 items
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What was India's all-India CPI (combined) inflation for February 2026, as released on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B â 3.21%
February 2026 CPI inflation was 3.21% (provisional), up from 2.74% in January; 3.47% was food inflation.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: A â Silver jewellery
Silver jewellery led at 160.84%, followed by gold/diamond/platinum jewellery at 48.16% and copra at 46.16%.
Consider the following statements about India's new CPI series (base 2024=100): 1. Its item basket and weights are based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023â24. 2. It retains the earlier structure of six broad groups instead of adopting COICOP 2018. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the new series adopts the UN's COICOP 2018, with 12 divisions and 358 items, replacing the earlier six broad groups.
Which items saw the steepest price falls in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: D â Garlic, onion and potato
Garlic (−31.09%), onion (−28.20%) and potato (−18.46%) had the lowest inflation; tomato was among the highest at 45.29%.