RBI launches July round of rural, urban consumer confidence and inflation expectation surveys
New Delhi, July 9
The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday launched the July 2026 round of three key household surveys - the Urban Consumer Confidence Survey, the Rural Consumer Confidence Survey, and the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households - to gather public feedback on economic conditions, inflation and employment, with the findings set to provide inputs for monetary policy.
According to separate RBI press releases, the central bank has launched the latest round of its regular household surveys to assess consumer sentiment and inflation expectations across the country.
The RBI said the Urban Consumer Confidence Survey "seeks qualitative responses from households, regarding their sentiments on general economic situation, employment scenario, price level, households' income and spending." The survey is conducted across 19 cities, and "the results of this survey provide useful inputs for monetary policy."
The central bank also launched the July round of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households, which aims to capture households' assessment of price movements and inflation based on their individual consumption baskets across the same 19 cities.
"The survey seeks qualitative responses from households on price changes (general prices as well as prices of specific product groups) in the three months ahead as well as in the one year ahead period and quantitative responses on current, three months ahead and one year ahead inflation rates," the RBI said, adding that "the results of this survey provide useful inputs for monetary policy."
In addition, the RBI launched the July 2026 round of the Rural Consumer Confidence Survey, which covers rural and semi-urban households across 31 states and Union Territories.
According to the RBI, the survey "collects current perceptions and one year ahead expectations of households on general economic situation, employment scenario, overall price situation, own income and spending" and "the results of this survey provide useful inputs for monetary policy."
The RBI said the surveys will be conducted through survey agencies appointed on its behalf. Selected households will be approached directly, while individuals who are not contacted by the agencies can also participate by submitting their responses through the online survey schedules provided by the central bank.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Will they actually listen to what people say about inflation? When I go to the market, even basic vegetables have doubled in price. But official inflation numbers always seem lower. This survey is a good step, but I hope the results actually influence RBI decisions and not just sit in a report somewhere.
The Rural Consumer Confidence Survey covering 31 states is very important. Urban India is doing okay but rural economy is struggling with stagnant wages and rising costs. If RBI takes rural sentiment seriously in monetary policy, it would be a game changer for our farmers and small businesses.
One suggestion - please publish the results in local languages too.
Finally some data-driven approach! We always hear anecdotal stories about economic sentiment, but this will give real numbers. I hope the sample size is large enough and truly representative. Also, 19 cities is not enough - places like Patna, Guwahati, and Indore should be included too. Kuch toh improvement chahiye 🙏
Inflation expectations survey is so important right now. I'm a homemaker and I've stopped buying many things because prices are too high. My family's income hasn't increased but everything costs more. It feels like the RBI is trying to understand but monetary policy changes take so long to show results. Frustrating honestly.
I'm a small business owner in Bangalore. Employment sentiment is what matters most to me. We are hiring less because of uncertainty. These surveys will show the real picture. But will the government actually act on the findings? Or just use them to claim 'sab achha hai
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