Concept / Definition
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks consumer prices for a basket of goods and services. The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) is food-specific. The September 2026 NSO report uses index base 2024=100 and reports year-on-year inflation.
Exam-Ready Points
- Releasing authority: National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI.
- Base 2024=100 is the reference index base, not the rate of inflation.
- September 2026 combined CPI year-on-year inflation: 5.54% (provisional).
- September 2026 combined CFPI year-on-year inflation: 7.74% (provisional).
- The combined CPI index was 109.49 and CFPI index 112.17.
- CPI covers a broader consumer basket than CFPI.
- Rural, urban and combined rates are reported separately.
Likely Common Mistakes
- Mistaking an index level of 109.49 for inflation of 109.49%.
- Mistaking 7.74% food inflation for headline CPI inflation.
- Treating the September provisional reading as final, or confusing base 2024 with the September 2025 comparison month.
Self-Check Questions
- Which organisation publishes the CPI/CFPI figures, and what base does the September 2026 release use?
- How do the September 2026 combined CPI and CFPI inflation rates differ?
- Why is a CPI index value of 109.49 not an inflation rate of 109.49%?
Revision time: 5–7 minutes.