The Central Government is expected to publish the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation data for the month of March 2026 at 4 pm on Monday, 13 April 2026. The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI) generally releases the country’s headline inflation data on the 12th of every month, but because it was a Sunday this time, so the ministry is instead expected to roll out the data today. India’s Inflation History Since 2021 Govt to roll out 3rd monthly inflation data under new base year series 2024 The March 2026 inflation data is going to be the third time that the MoSPI would release inflation figures under the new base year 2024. Till December 2025, the Centre had rolled out figures of the annual percentage rise in prices of goods and services based on the old base year series of 2012. India updated the base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2024 from erstwhile 2012, with an aim to provide a more accurate measure of inflation based on current consumption patterns in the country. Govt now considers higher number of items to calculate inflation Under the new series 2024, the government increased number of items from 299 to 358 to calculate inflation. Examples of new items added to inflation basket: How inflation is calculated? Retail inflation is measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in prices of everyday items such as food, fuel and services. Inflation rises when demand outpaces supply and falls when supply exceeds demand. Impact of Iran war on India’s inflation – What RBI said? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in the recently held Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) April 2026 meet, had pegged India’s FY27 inflation at 4.6%, much higher than 2.1% in FY26. Governor, Sanjay Malhotra had said that risks are there that inflation may rise in India due to high oil prices and probable weather disturbances. Crude oil prices had risen by 71% in between the 6-week long Iran war from $70 a barrel to as high as $120 per barrel for a brief period. This is expected to have a cascading effect on prices of those commodities that are especially shipped from the Gulf countries. If this happens, then, March would be the fifth straight month of rise in the country’s inflation. February retail inflation rose to 3.21%: Govt While, according to the NSO, India’s retail inflation had risen to 3.21% in February 2026 from a revised 2.74% in January. The CPI inflation had risen in both the rural and urban segments to 3.37% and 3.02%, respectively, in February. Note: April 2025 to December 2025 inflation data is based on old base year 2012. CPI for January and February 2026 is based on new base year 2024. Post navigation Iran war weighs on sentiment of luxury car buyers:Wealthy customers postpone purchases of expensive vehicles
