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📊 OTT, Rail & Air Platforms to Be Part of MoSPI's New Inflation Index
In a landmark move to modernize the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced that OTT platforms, airline fares, and railway ticket prices will now be included in India's inflation tracking system.
This initiative is part of MoSPI's plan to harness real-time data sources and make inflation measurement more reflective of today’s digital and service-driven economy.
🔍 Why the Change?
The inflation index has traditionally focused on physical goods and services. However, with the digital economy rapidly expanding, services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, IRCTC train bookings, and flight aggregators have become integral to household spending.
To keep pace, MoSPI is shifting from outdated price collection models to digitally harvested, real-time data sources that better mirror consumer behavior.
🧩 What Will Be Included?
OTT Platforms: Monthly subscriptions from services like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video
Rail Fares: Dynamic pricing from platforms like IRCTC
Airfares: Ticket prices across domestic and international carriers
Other Possible Additions: Ride-hailing services, hotel booking platforms, and online grocery prices in the future
💡 How This Affects You
More Accurate CPI: Inflation figures will now reflect your actual day-to-day expenses, not just groceries or fuel.
Policy Decisions: Better data helps the RBI and government create more precise interest rate or subsidy policies.
Investment Insight: Retail investors and analysts will get deeper insights into consumption trends.
🛠️ When Will It Roll Out?
MoSPI aims to launch this revised inflation series by early 2026, with trials expected throughout 2025. The transition is being guided by global best practices, including those used by Eurostat and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🌐 Tech-Driven Inflation Tracking: A Global Trend
India’s move mirrors a global shift in inflation tracking:
The UK already uses scanner data from supermarkets.
The US includes streaming and digital services in its inflation basket.
Eurostat uses web scraping for airline ticket data.
❓ FAQ: MoSPI's New Inflation Index with OTT & Travel Platforms
Q1: Why are OTT platforms being added to the inflation index?
🅰️ OTT subscriptions represent a growing portion of household spending and were not previously reflected in inflation calculations.
Q2: How will airfare and rail fares be tracked?
🅰️ MoSPI will scrape fare data in real time from IRCTC and airline booking portals to reflect dynamic pricing models.
Q3: Will this change impact RBI monetary policy?
🅰️ Yes. A more accurate CPI will help the Reserve Bank of India better calibrate interest rates based on actual consumption patterns.
Q4: When will the new inflation series be implemented?
🅰️ The revamped index is expected to be introduced in early 2026, with pilot testing across 2025.
Q5: What other services could be included in the future?
🅰️ Ride-hailing apps, hotel booking sites, and online grocery prices are being considered for inclusion in the inflation basket.
📝 Final Thoughts
MoSPI's inclusion of OTT, rail, and air ticket prices in the inflation index marks a forward-thinking evolution in economic tracking. It brings the CPI in line with how India truly spends in the 2020s—digitally, on-demand, and often on screens or in transit.
This change not only modernizes inflation tracking but also strengthens the foundation for smarter economic policymaking in India.
Reported by Benny on June 5, 2025.