The Reserve Bank of India has launched the July 2026 round of its Inflation Expectations Survey of Households. This survey helps the RBI understand how ordinary Indians perceive current and future price changes. It plays a key role in shaping the country’s monetary policy decisions.
Key Details of the Inflation Expectations Survey
The survey covers 19 major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Additionally, cities such as Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jammu, Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, and Thiruvananthapuram are also included. This wide geographic reach ensures a diverse and representative sample of Indian households.
The survey collects two types of responses. First, it gathers qualitative feedback on general price changes and specific product group prices over the next three months and one year. Second, it collects quantitative estimates of current, three-month-ahead, and one-year-ahead inflation rates. Together, these inputs give the RBI a clearer picture of household inflation expectations across India.
How the Survey Is Conducted and Who Can Participate
The RBI has appointed M/s Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, to conduct this round of the inflation expectations survey. The agency will directly approach selected households for their responses. However, other individuals not contacted by the agency can also participate voluntarily.
Those who wish to participate independently can fill in the survey schedule online and e-mail their responses. For any queries, respondents can contact the Director, Division of Household Surveys, Department of Statistics and Information Management, Reserve Bank of India, C-8, 2nd Floor, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051. The contact numbers are 022-2657 8398 and 022-2657 8332.
Why This Survey Matters for India’s Economy
Household inflation expectations directly influence consumer behaviour and spending patterns. Therefore, tracking these expectations helps the RBI make well-informed decisions on interest rates and liquidity. As a result, the survey findings feed directly into the central bank’s monetary policy framework.
Meanwhile, broader public participation strengthens the quality and reliability of the survey data. The RBI encourages all eligible households to cooperate with the agency or respond independently. This survey is one of several statistical tools the central bank uses to monitor India’s economic conditions effectively.
Source: RBI Press Releases
