Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is addressing challenges related to the accuracy and consistency of statistical data on employment, unemployment, poverty, and income inequality. Initiatives include strengthening and modernizing data collection systems, improving survey methodologies, ensuring transparent publication, enhancing coordination with states, and adopting technology-based solutions. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) sampling design was revamped in January 2025 to provide higher frequency labour market indicators.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Data Quality and Standards:**
* MoSPI is the nodal agency responsible for maintaining high standards of data quality in India's statistical system.
* Data from MoSPI surveys serves as the official data source for key indicators used by Central Ministries/Departments and international agencies.
* **Employment and Unemployment Data:**
* The National Statistics Office (NSO), under MoSPI, conducts the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to estimate employment and unemployment indicators.
* The PLFS sampling design was revamped from January 2025 to enhance coverage and provide high-frequency labour market indicators.
* **Poverty and Income Inequality Data:**
* The Central Government does not compile data related to income inequality.
* NITI Aayog is responsible for formulating an indigenized index for measuring multidimensional poverty estimates.
* **Data Collection and Technology:**
* MoSPI continuously upgrades and synergizes existing IT-based data collection techniques.
* Primary data collection is done digitally using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) or web-based applications with built-in validation mechanisms.
* Features of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) have been introduced in enterprise surveys, and CAPI has been made agile in ongoing surveys.
* **Coordination with States/UTs:**
* MoSPI provides technical guidance, sampling design, survey instruments, and capacity-building support to States/UTs.
* States are encouraged to form technical committees to examine data quality and outputs.
* **Transparency and Timeliness:**
* Survey reports and unit-level data are released on the MoSPI website according to the Advance Release Calendar.
* The revamped Microdata portal, GoIStats mobile app, and eSankhyiki portal facilitate the dissemination of official statistics.
* **Review and Improvement:**
* Committees/Working Groups consisting of experts review the framework, results, methodology, and questionnaires of MoSPI surveys.
Impact Analysis:
* **Central Ministries/Departments:**
* *Impact:* Relies on MoSPI data for evidence-based policymaking and targeted welfare programs.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the timely data released by MoSPI for effective policy planning and implementation.
* **State Governments/Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Receives technical and infrastructural support from MoSPI to improve their statistical systems.
* *Action Required:* Form technical committees to examine data quality, leverage MoSPI support for capacity building, and implement digital data collection methods.
* **Researchers/Academics:**
* *Impact:* Accesses unit-level data and survey reports to conduct research and analysis.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the data available on the MoSPI website, Microdata portal, and other platforms for research purposes.
* **NITI Aayog:**
* *Impact:* Entrusted with the task of formulating an index for measuring multidimensional poverty.
* *Action Required:* Develop and implement an indigenized index for measuring multidimensional poverty estimates.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI): Nodal agency for planned development of statistical system in India, responsible for maintaining data quality and conducting surveys.
National Statistics Office (NSO): An office under MoSPI responsible for conducting surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): A survey conducted by NSO since 2017 to estimate indicators related to employment and unemployment in India. Revamped in January 2025.
NITI Aayog: Entrusted with formulating an indigenized index for measuring multidimensional poverty estimates.
Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI): A digital platform used for primary data collection in surveys to ensure consistency and facilitate real-time submission and validation.
Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE): Enterprise survey where some features of AIML have been introduced.
GoIStats: Mobile app launched by MoSPI to facilitate easy dissemination of official statistics.
eSankhyiki: Portal launched by MoSPI which facilitate easy dissemination of official statistics across the country with an aim to provide timely and valuable data inputs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2901
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
MODERNISE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM
2901. Shri Chhotelal:
Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the challenges related to the
accuracy and consistency of statistical data on employment,
unemployment, poverty and income inequality which are essential for
evidence-based policy-making and targeted welfare programmes; and
(b) if so, the details of the initiatives and policy measures proposed by
the Government to strengthen and modernise data collection systems,
improve survey methodologies, ensure regular and transparent
publication of reports, enhance coordination with State agencies and
adopt technology-based solutions for more reliable and real-time data
on employment and poverty and if not, the reasons therefor?
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) and (b): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI) being nodal agency for planned development of statistical system
in the country, is also responsible for maintaining the highest standards of
data quality. The data provided by surveys of MoSPI is used by various
Central Ministries/Departments, international agencies, etc as the official
data source of various key indicators in India.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI has been conducting
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) since 2017 to estimate various
indicators related to employment and unemployment in the country. The
sampling design of PLFS has been revamped from January 2025 to address
the requirement of high frequency labour market indicators with enhanced
coverage from PLFS.
The data related to income inequality is not compiled by the CentralGovernment. Furthermore, NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the task of
formulating an indigenized index for measuring multi-dimensional poverty
estimates.
NSO, MoSPI is committed to ensuring accurate, reliable and high-quality
data in the large-scale surveys conducted across the country. To achieve
this, robust and well- defined mechanisms are employed in different
statistical products which undergo periodic improvements based on
evolving needs, feedback, and advancements in methodologies to enhance
their effectiveness. Upgradation and synergizing of existing IT based data
collection techniques is a continuous process in MoSPI. The primary data
collection in all surveys is being done in digital platform using Computer
Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) or web-based application with in-built
validation mechanism to ensure consistency at the stage of data
collection. This facilitates real-time submission and validation of survey
data and has resulted into a drastic reduction in the time lag in releasing
of survey reports. Further, whenever a new survey is taken up, possible
methods and new technologies are explored for their appropriate
adoption. For instance, some features of AI/ML have been introduced in
enterprise surveys like CAPEX and Annual Survey of Unincorporated
Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), CAPI has been made agile in ongoing surveys
such as ASUSE, PLFS, etc.
MoSPI assists in development of statistics in the States/UTs by providing
technical guidance, sampling design, survey instruments, and capacity-
building support, including training and digital infrastructure like tablets,
CAPI and cloud servers. States are also encouraged to form technical
committees with local experts to examine data quality and outputs.
In order to enhance the transparency and timeliness of survey data, the
reports of the survey results are released on the website of MoSPI
alongwith the unit level data as per the timelines prescribed in the
Advance Release Calendar of MoSPI. The revamped Micro-data portal, the
GoIStats mobile app and e-Sankhyiki portal have been launched by MoSPI
which facilitate easy dissemination of official statistics across the country
with an aim to provide timely and valuable data inputs.
For the purpose of reviewing the framework and to address the issues
raised from time to time on the subject, results, methodology,
questionnaire, etc of the surveys of MoSPI, the Committee/Working Groups
are in place which consist of expert members from various spheres such
as Central Ministries/Departments, States/UTs, academia, research,
economics, finance, etc.
*****