MoSPI modernises official statistics system with digital tools, administrative datasets and AI-enabled dissemination
New Delhi, July 20
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is modernising India's official statistical system through greater use of digital technologies, administrative datasets, automated survey processes and AI-enabled platforms to improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of official statistics.
The measures were outlined by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for MoSPI, Ministry of Planning and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Rao Inderjit Singh, in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has adopted Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for survey data collection through handheld devices equipped with built-in validation checks. The survey process is further supported by centralised servers, real-time monitoring dashboards, GPS tagging of surveyed households and secure electronic transmission of data.
"These measures have improved data quality by enabling validation at the point of data collection, reduced the time required for data processing and facilitated faster dissemination of survey results," the Ministry said.
Administrative datasets are also being increasingly integrated with sample surveys to prepare sampling frames and select survey samples. The GSTN database is used as the sampling frame for the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises, while the Census 2011 village directory is used for the rural sector under the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
The Annual Survey of Industries uses administrative records maintained by the Chief Inspector of Factories and other statutory registration authorities, while the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database is used for preparing the survey frame for the Forward-Looking Survey of Private Corporate Sector CAPEX Investment Intentions.
"MoSPI has developed the Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF), based on the United Nations National Quality Assurance Framework (UN NQAF), 2019, to strengthen quality assurance in official statistics," the Ministry said.
The SQAF seeks to promote efficiency, reliability and accountability while ensuring adherence to the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. To standardise metadata, MoSPI has also developed the National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0), which aims to ensure that data and information are uniformly represented and that data sources and collection methods are clearly identified.
The Ministry has also expanded public access to official statistics through the eSankhyiki portal, which currently hosts 29 statistical products, 913 datasets and over 137 million records. The revamped Microdata Portal provides access to anonymised unit-level data from more than 189 socio-economic surveys.
MoSPI has further launched AI-enabled features and interactive dashboards on its website, besides the GoIStat mobile application, to facilitate easier access and wider dissemination of official statistics.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see India moving toward AI-enabled dissemination. The eSankhyiki portal with 137 million records sounds impressive, but I wonder how user-friendly it actually is for researchers. The microdata portal being revamped is a good step—hopefully the anonymization is robust.
Great initiative! The GSTN database as sampling frame for services sector is smart. But what about states like Bihar or UP where digital penetration is low? We need to ensure the tech doesn't create a rural-urban data divide. Also, the Census 2011 village directory is over a decade old—time for an update! 🙏
AI-enabled dashboards and GoIStat app? That's genuinely useful for business owners like me. Instead of guessing market trends, we can now access quality data. But I have one concern: will the AI introduce any bias? The SQAF framework sounds good, but implementation is key. Let's see if the data actually improves.
As an economist tracking Indian GDP data, this is welcome news. The integration of administrative datasets (GSTN, MCA) with surveys will improve accuracy. However, the real test will be whether the data is released on time—delays have been an issue in the past. Kudos to MoSPI for trying though!
Good move overall. But I'm a bit skeptical about AI in government—remember the Aadhaar glitches? Let's hope the AI-enabled features are tested thoroughly before rollout. Also, the NMDS 2.0 for metadata standardization is long overdue—it will help researchers compare data across years. Progress, but cautiously optimistic! 🌟