India Modernizes Inflation Tracking with E-Commerce Data from Amazon and Flipkart

India is overhauling its Consumer Price Index methodology by integrating real-time pricing data from e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart. The Ministry of Statistics will collect weekly average prices across 12 major cities, reflecting the nation's rapid digital commerce growth projected at 22% annually.

The revised CPI framework marks a significant departure from traditional physical store surveys, which relied on decade-old spending patterns. New inclusions span airfares, streaming services, and other digital consumption metrics—addressing the spending habits of India's 270 million online shoppers.

This statistical modernization comes as changing consumer behavior renders legacy measurement systems increasingly obsolete. Cross-verification mechanisms will validate the e-commerce data against alternative sources, ensuring accuracy in tracking the new retail economy.