The government on Saturday rejected claims circulating on social media that India has removed food and education from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to measure inflation. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit categorically described these assertions as false and misleading.
Responding to the viral posts, PIB Fact Check cited the Expert Group Report on CPI, 2024, to clarify that food and education continue to form essential components of the CPI basket.
The clarification aims to counter misinformation and reassure the public about the transparency of inflation measurement in the country.
According to the official data, food and beverages together account for a combined weight of 36.75 per cent in the CPI. In rural areas, food and beverages carry a weight of 23.27 per cent, while in urban centres the corresponding figure stands at 13.49 per cent.
The government noted that food prices remain a critical indicator of inflation trends, especially given their impact on household budgets across both rural and urban India. The continued inclusion of food in the CPI basket reflects its central role in assessing cost-of-living changes.
Education Remains Part of CPI Basket
The PIB also clarified that education services have not been excluded from the CPI. Education carries a combined weight of 3.33 per cent in the index, with rural areas accounting for 1.32 per cent and urban areas for 2.01 per cent.
Officials emphasised that education expenses continue to influence inflation calculations, particularly in urban households, where spending on education services tends to be higher.
PIB Fact Check reiterated that both food and education remain core elements of the CPI framework and urged citizens to rely on verified government sources for accurate information. The unit also encouraged people to report suspicious or misleading content related to government policies for verification.
By issuing this clarification, the government sought to curb the spread of false information and maintain public confidence in the credibility of India’s inflation data and statistical systems.
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