Inflation Tracking Just Changed In India: Airfares, Online Shopping And OTT Rates Now Included In CPI

India’s inflation tracking has officially entered a new phase today, February 12, as the government will release the January retail inflation data under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with base year 2024.

This is a key shift from the older CPI series (base year 2012), and it is expected to provide a more realistic view of how prices are moving in the economy, especially as spending patterns have changed significantly over the past decade.

What Is New In The CPI Series?

The new CPI series has expanded the basket of items used to calculate inflation. It now covers 358 items, compared to 299 products and services in the earlier CPI series.

This change matters because inflation is not just about vegetables and fuel anymore. Many households now spend regularly on travel, online shopping, and digital services, which were not properly reflected in the older CPI basket. 

Airfares, E-Commerce And OTT: What’s Now Included

One of the biggest highlights of the new CPI series is the inclusion of newer spending categories that have become common across India.

The updated inflation basket now reflects price movements in:

• Airfares
• Prices on e-commerce platforms
• Subscription rates of OTT streaming channels

These categories are expected to make inflation data more aligned with how consumers actually spend today, especially in urban areas and among younger households.

Wider Price Tracking Across India

The data collection network has also expanded significantly.

Under the new CPI series, prices will now be collected from:

• 1,465 rural markets
• 1,395 urban markets

This higher number of collection points is expected to improve the quality and representativeness of inflation readings, giving a broader picture of price trends across regions.

What Was The Last CPI Reading Under The Old Series?

The last retail inflation figure under the old CPI series was released for December 2025 on January 12, 2026.

In December, year-on-year inflation stood at 1.33%, which was higher by 62 basis points compared to November.

Why This Matters For RBI And Interest Rates

Retail inflation data is one of the most important indicators used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) when framing monetary policy.

In fact, the RBI recently chose not to give an inflation projection for the next financial year, as it decided to wait for the new CPI series before offering forward guidance.

This means today’s CPI release is not just another data point, but it could influence how markets view future interest rate decisions.

Read more: RBI Proposes 20% Cap on Unsecured Loans for Urban Co-Operative Banks.

Conclusion

India’s CPI update is a major step towards modernising how inflation is measured. By including airfares, online shopping prices, and OTT subscription rates, the new CPI series is expected to reflect real household expenses more accurately. With broader market coverage and a larger item basket, the inflation numbers released from now on may offer sharper insights for policymakers, investors, and everyday consumers alike.

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