The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially launched the March 2026 round of the Rural and Urban Consumer Confidence Surveys, aimed at assessing household sentiment across India.
These surveys are conducted regularly by the RBI to measure public perception regarding economic conditions, employment trends, income levels, spending behaviour, and inflation expectations. The findings play a crucial role in shaping monetary policy decisions.
What is the RBI Consumer Confidence Survey?
The Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS) is an important economic indicator that reflects how households perceive the current economic situation and their expectations for the next year.
- It helps the RBI understand:
- Consumer sentiment
- Inflation expectations
- Employment outlook
- Household income and expenditure trends
- Overall economic confidence
Rural Consumer Confidence Survey 2026
The Rural Consumer Confidence Survey gathers responses from households living in rural and semi-urban areas across 31 States and Union Territories.
Key Areas Covered:
- General economic situation
- Employment scenario
- Overall price situation
- Household income
- Spending patterns
- One-year-ahead expectations
States & UTs Covered
The survey covers states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and others, along with Union Territories like Delhi and Ladakh.
For the March 2026 round, the RBI has appointed Ipsos Research Private Ltd. to conduct the rural survey.
Urban Consumer Confidence Survey 2026
The Urban Consumer Confidence Survey collects qualitative responses from households in 19 major cities, including:
Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati, and others.
The survey captures public sentiment on:
- Economic conditions
- Employment prospects
- Price levels
- Household income
- Spending trends
For this round, the RBI has engaged Hansa Research Group Pvt. Ltd. to conduct the urban survey.
Why Consumer Confidence Matters for the Economy
Consumer confidence is a key driver of economic growth. When households feel positive about income and employment prospects, they tend to spend more, boosting demand and supporting economic activity.
The survey results help the RBI:
- Monitor inflation expectations
- Assess ground-level economic conditions
- Frame data-driven monetary policies
- Evaluate consumer demand trends
The launch of the March 2026 Rural and Urban Consumer Confidence Surveys reflects the RBI’s continued focus on understanding household sentiment across India. The insights gathered will support informed decision-making and help maintain economic stability.