The Reserve Bank launched three important surveys on Thursday to collect data for shaping monetary policy. One survey measures household views on inflation. The July 2026 edition of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households will gather opinions on price trends and inflation based on personal spending patterns in 19 cities. It will seek both qualitative feedback on expected price shifts over three months and one year, plus quantitative estimates of current and future inflation rates. The central bank also began the July 2026 Rural Consumer Confidence Survey. This effort gathers views from rural and semi-urban households in 31 states and union territories on the economy, jobs, prices, income, and spending. A parallel Urban Consumer Confidence Survey will collect similar qualitative responses from households in 19 cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. Survey findings help guide monetary policy, the Reserve Bank noted. The Monetary Policy Committee will next meet from August 3 to 5, 2026.
