Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation Modernization Initiatives
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has implemented significant measures to strengthen India's national statistical ecosystem. A major focus has been the modernization of National Sample Surveys through adoption of digital platforms including Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) integrated with the e-sigma platform, which incorporates in-built validation checks, AI-enabled chatbot functionality, and multilingual interfaces. The ministry has also launched short duration surveys to cater to emerging needs for high-frequency socio-economic indicators.
Administrative datasets have been integrated to strengthen sampling frames for some surveys, improving survey efficiency and contributing to timely compilation of official statistics. Significant reforms have been undertaken in macroeconomic statistics, including base revision of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Data Standardization and International Alignment
MoSPI has undertaken comprehensive data harmonization and standardization initiatives including adoption of National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0) and introduction of the Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF), which is based on the UN National Quality Assurance Framework (UN NQAF) 2019. The ministry examines global statistical standards and best practices for suitability in the Indian context, having adopted the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (UNFPOS) in May 2016 to promote good practices and professional ethics in production and dissemination of Official Statistics.
Specific classification adoptions include the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)-2018 Framework in the new series of Consumer Price Index released on 12.02.2026 with 2024 as the new base (replacing the previous 2012 base). The ministry has also released National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 aligned with International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) Revision 5. The underlying concepts and methodology of National Accounts remain aligned with United Nations System of National Accounts, 2008, while CPI and GDP follow the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Sustainable Development Goals and Infrastructure Monitoring
MoSPI has developed the Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework (SDG-NIF) in close alignment with the UN's Global Indicator Framework (GIF) established by the UN Statistical Commission, while customizing indicators to suit India's national priorities, policy contexts and data ecosystems.
For infrastructure monitoring, MoSPI has operationalized PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) to replace the erstwhile OCMS-2006 (Online Computerized Monitoring system) for mandated monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects. Additionally, the ministry launched a Performance Monitoring Dashboard on 16th April 2026 to provide performance metrics of key infrastructure sectors through standardized indicators, strengthening infrastructure monitoring and evidence-based policymaking.