India’s inflation for clothing and footwear reached 2.98% in January 2026, according to provisional data released under the country’s revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series, highlighting modest price pressures in the retail apparel and footwear categories.
The figures, published as part of the first inflation release using the updated CPI with base year 2024, show that overall retail inflation rose to 2.75% year-on-year in January, with rural inflation at 2.73% and urban inflation marginally higher at 2.77%.
The revised CPI framework reflects a significant methodological overhaul by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, reducing the weight of food and broadening the consumption basket to better capture contemporary spending patterns. Analysts say the adjustments aim to present a more accurate picture of price dynamics across the economy.
Clothing and footwear inflation was notably above the overall CPI rate, underscoring sustained price movement in these non-food consumer categories despite relatively subdued broader inflationary pressures. The updated inflation data marked the first release under the new CPI base year, replacing the earlier 2012 series.
Economists have noted that while overall inflation remains within the Reserve Bank of India’s target tolerance band, the rise in prices for apparel and related items could reflect mixed demand conditions in the retail sector, as well as cost pressures transmitted through supply chains.
The All-India CPI (general) index stood at 104.46 in January 2026, with rural and urban indices at 104.59 and 104.30 respectively under the revised series.
The new CPI measures are expected to influence policy assessments and monetary deliberations by providing an updated basis for gauging consumer price trends across a broader set of goods and services.
