The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February 2026 (India CPI Inflation February 2026). With the base year now updated to 2024=100, the data provides a fresh look at India’s inflation trajectory.
Quick Overview: India CPI Inflation February 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Release Name | Consumer Price Index (CPI) & CFPI |
| Launched By | National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI |
| Date of Release | March 12, 2026 |
| Category | Economic Indicators / Government Reports |
| Base Year | 2024 = 100 |
| Official Website | mospi.gov.in |
Key Highlights of February 2026 Inflation Report
The latest data shows a slight shift in the cost of living across India. Here are the bold highlights you need to know:
- National Inflation Rate: The year-on-year inflation rate for February 2026 stands at 3.21%.
- Rural vs. Urban: Inflation in Rural areas (3.37%) remains slightly higher than in Urban areas (3.02%).
- Food Price Relief: There is a significant month-on-month decrease of over 10% in the prices of Tomato, Peas, and Cauliflower.
- Jewellery Costs Soar: A massive spike was observed in Silver Jewellery (160.84%) and Gold/Diamond Jewellery (48.16%) inflation.
- Essential Drops: Prices of Garlic (-31.09%), Onion (-28.20%), and Potato (-18.46%) have seen a downward trend compared to last year.
Who is Affected? Key Features of the Report
The CPI measures the change in prices of goods and services consumed by households. This report specifically tracks:
- Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI): Food inflation for February is recorded at 3.47%.
- Housing Inflation: Urban dwellers saw a housing inflation rate of 2.00%, while rural housing stood at 2.43%.
- Education & Health: Education services saw an inflation of 3.33%, and health products rose by 1.90%.
- Transport: Interestingly, transport services saw a minor deflationary trend of -0.05%, providing some relief to commuters.
📊 Snapshot: Key Inflation Statistics (Feb 2026)
| Category | Inflation Rate (%) |
| All India (Combined) | 3.21% |
| Rural Inflation | 3.37% |
| Urban Inflation | 3.02% |
| Food Inflation (CFPI) | 3.47% |
Quick Take: Compared to January 2026 (2.74%), there has been a slight uptick of 47 basis points in the year-on-year inflation rate.
🖼️Price Trends: What’s Costlier & What’s Cheaper?
🚀 Top 5 High Inflation Items
These items saw the highest price jumps in February 2026:
- Silver Jewellery: 160.84% (Significant Surge)
- Gold/Diamond Jewellery: 48.16%
- Coconut (Copra): 46.16%
- Tomato: 45.29%
- Cauliflower: 43.77%
📉 Top 5 Low Inflation (Deflation) Items
Good news for the kitchen budget! Prices of these essentials dropped:
- Garlic: -31.09%
- Onion: -28.20%
- Potato: -18.46%
- Arhar/Tur Dal: -16.00%
- Litchi: -11.52%
🏛️ Sector-wise Inflation Breakdown
Understanding where the money goes. Here is the division-wise inflation percentage for the combined sector:
- Personal Care & Miscellaneous: 19.64% (Driven by Gold/Silver)
- Food and Beverages: 3.35%
- Education Services: 3.33%
- Clothing & Footwear: 2.81%
- Housing: 1.52%
- Transport: -0.05% (Slight decrease in costs)
📍 State-wise Performance: Who is Leading?
Inflation isn’t the same everywhere. Based on the provisional data for February 2026:
- Highest Inflation: Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded a high of 4.06%.
- Stable Growth: States like Andhra Pradesh (3.45%) and Bihar (2.85%) remained close to the national average.
- Low Inflation: Arunachal Pradesh recorded a lower inflation rate of 1.89%.
How to Check State-wise Inflation Data
If you want to know how your specific state is performing in terms of price stability, follow these steps:
- Visit the official eSankhyiki portal at esankhyiki.mospi.gov.in.
- Navigate to the CPI Section.
- Select the report for February 2026.
- Download the Annexure-III to see the General Index for your State/UT.
💡 Key Takeaways for Aspirants & Analysts
- New Base Year: All data is now calculated using 2024=100, ensuring more accurate current-market representation.
- Vegetable Price Relief: Huge month-on-month drops were seen in Tomatoes, Peas, and Cauliflower (over 10% decrease compared to January).
- Precious Metals Impact: The “Personal Care” category is heavily inflated due to the global surge in Silver and Gold prices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the current retail inflation rate in India? As of February 2026, the provisional All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate is 3.21%.
Q2: Why are vegetable prices falling? The report shows a month-on-month decrease of over 10% in tomatoes, peas, and cauliflower due to seasonal harvests and better supply chain management.
Q3: Is inflation higher in villages or cities? According to the latest PIB release, inflation is higher in Rural areas (3.37%) compared to Urban areas (3.02%).
Q4: When will the next inflation data be released? The CPI data for March 2026 is scheduled to be released on April 13, 2026.