he Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is revising the base of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This process involves expanding the scope of price collection, refining existing methodologies, exploring new data sources, and effectively using modern technology in price collection and index compilation.
With the Government of India implementing the free foodgrain distribution scheme covering 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population from January 1, 2023, the issue of its fair and realistic reflection in the CPI and inflation measurement has become relevant and urgent.
The subject was discussed extensively with national and international experts, the Reserve Bank of India, the International Monetary Fund, and other United Nations institutions and government organizations. A brainstorming session was also held on November 20, 2024, following which the first discussion note was published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in December 2024.
The methodology proposed in Discussion Paper 2.0 has been prepared by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, after incorporating the suggestions and feedback received during the above discussions. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation invites views and comments from experts, academics, government bodies, state governments, financial institutions, and other stakeholders on Discussion Paper 2.0 regarding inclusion of free Public Distribution System (PDS) commodities in the CPI compilation framework. Discussion Paper 2.0 is available on the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation website www.mospi.gov.in and the CPI Warehouse www.cpi.mospi.gov.in. Comments and suggestions may be sent to psd-nso2020@mospi.gov.in by October 22, 2025 .
