MoSPI's Digital Modernization of India's Statistical System
The National Statistical Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has implemented comprehensive digital modernization measures for India's official statistical system. Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) has been adopted for data collection using handheld devices with in-built validation checks, supported by centralized servers, real-time monitoring dashboards, GPS tagging of surveyed households, and secure electronic data transmission. The entire survey process including sample selection, field monitoring, survey administration, validation, and data processing has been automated, resulting in improved data quality through validation at point of collection, reduced data processing time, and faster dissemination of survey results.
Integration of Administrative Datasets
Administrative datasets are being increasingly integrated with sample surveys for preparation of sampling frames and selection of survey samples. The GSTN database serves as the sampling frame for the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE), while the Census 2011 village directory is used for the rural sector under the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE). The Annual Survey of Industries uses administrative records from the Chief Inspector of Factories and other statutory registration authorities. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs database is utilized for preparing the survey frame for the Forward Looking Survey of Private Corporate Sector CAPEX Investment Intentions, strengthening sampling frames and improving survey efficiency.
Quality Assurance and Metadata Standardization
MoSPI developed the Statistical Quality Assessment Framework based on the United Nations National Quality Assurance Framework, 2019, providing a comprehensive framework to ensure adherence to United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. The National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0) has been developed and shared with Ministries/Departments and States/UTs to ensure uniform data representation, clarity on data sources and collection methods, and enhanced dataset discoverability. A Metadata Web Portal has been launched for hosting metadata, and a Compendium of Datasets and Registries covering 287 datasets from 43 Ministries/Departments has been published to improve discoverability.
Enhanced Public Access and Dissemination
Multiple platforms have been established to enhance public access to official statistics. An Advance Release Calendar on MoSPI's website provides schedules for major statistical publications. The eSankhyiki Portal serves as a single dissemination platform hosting 29 statistical products, 913 datasets, and over 137 million records, supported by APIs, data visualizations, and metadata. The revamped Microdata Portal provides access to anonymized unit-level data from more than 189 socio-economic surveys. The Ministry has modernized its website with AI-enabled features and interactive dashboards, launched the GoIStat Mobile App, and disseminates statistics through multiple communication platforms including newspapers, television, radio, digital and social media, podcasts on Sansad TV, exhibitions, MyGov collaboration, explanatory videos, infographics, and other multimedia content.