The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) 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 automation covers sample selection, field monitoring, survey administration, validation, and data processing, which has improved data quality through point-of-collection validation, reduced processing time, and enabled faster dissemination of survey results.
Administrative datasets are now extensively integrated with sample surveys to strengthen sampling frames. The GSTN database serves as the 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 (ASI) uses records from the Chief Inspector of Factories and other statutory authorities, and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database supports the Forward Looking Survey of Private Corporate Sector CAPEX Investment Intentions.
MoSPI developed the Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) based on the United Nations National Quality Assurance Framework (2019) to ensure adherence to UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and accountability. The National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0) has been shared with Ministries/Departments and States/UTs to standardize metadata representation, clarify data sources and collection methods, and improve dataset discoverability. A Metadata Web Portal (MWP) hosts metadata, and a Compendium of Datasets and Registries covering 287 datasets from 43 Ministries/Departments has been published.
Public access and dissemination have been significantly enhanced through multiple channels. An Advance Release Calendar (ARC) on the MoSPI website provides schedules for major statistical publications. The eSankhyiki Portal serves as a single 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 over 189 socio-economic surveys. Additional initiatives include a modernized website with AI-enabled features and interactive dashboards, the GoIStat Mobile App, and dissemination through traditional media, digital/social media, podcasts on Sansad TV, exhibitions, MyGov collaborations, explanatory videos, and infographics.