Parliament Question: Collection and Publication of Official Statistics

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS 594. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH: Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state: (a) whether adequate mechanisms are in place to ensure timely collection and publication of official statistics and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to strengthen data quality, transparency and digital monitoring systems and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether any timeline has been fixed for implementation of these measures and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE [RAO INDERJIT SINGH] (a) to (c): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has put in place well-defined mechanisms to ensure timely collection and publication of official statistics. Important mechanisms which are in place to ensure timely collection and publication of official statistics are outlined below. Primary data collection for National Sample Surveys (NSS) are carried out on digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and the e-SIGMA system, incorporating in-built validation checks, real-time data monitoring, AI-enabled chatbots, and multilingual interfaces. Use of such digital platforms ensure consistency at thestage of data collection and facilitate real-time submission and validation of survey data. Further, the practice of physical scrutiny and inspection by higher-level officers is continuously undertaken as per fixed norms along with regular training for field staff to ensure the quality of the data collected. These initiatives have substantially improved data quality and led to reduction in time lag in release of survey data from 8-9 months to 45-90 days. Annual Survey Results are now released within 90-120 days; quarterly results within 45-60 days and monthly results within 15-30 days of completion of surveys. Similarly, the price data for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are collected through the CAPI system under the new CPI series (Base Year 2024), incorporating real-time validation checks, geo-tagging and time- stamping of observations to strengthen data quality, monitoring, transparency and timeliness. Likewise, the estimates of National Accounts Statistics (NAS) are compiled and revised in accordance with the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA 2008), using the latest available data sourced from various administrative databases and sample surveys. Similarly, adequate mechanism are in place to ensure timely collection and publication of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Monthly data is collected from data sources by 21st day of every month. Regular follow-up is undertaken to improve timeliness and response rates. For the compilation of IIP, data are subjected to validation and consistency checks to ensure their quality and reliability. Further, MoSPI enhances accountability and ensures timely dissemination of statistical products/ publications through the Advance Release Calendar (ARC), which is placed on the Ministry's website and followed for the release of official statistical publications. To promote transparency and public accountability, anonymized unit- level survey data are made available through MoSPI’s revamped Microdata Portal, enabling researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to access, analyze, and utilize official statistics for evidence-based research and policy making. MoSPI has also strengthened stakeholder engagement through data user conferences, consultations, workshops and feedback mechanisms, while digital platforms such as the revamped MoSPI website, GoIStats mobile application, e-Sankhyiki Portal, Microdata Portal and APIs for data exchange have enhanced data accessibility and dissemination. *****