The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Sunday celebrated the 19th Statistics Day at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, marking the 132nd birth anniversary of renowned statistician Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis. The event also commemorated the 75th year of the National Sample Survey (NSS), with the theme ‘75 Years of National Sample Survey’ highlighting the transformative impact of the NSS on India’s statistical landscape.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh, the Chief Guest, paid tribute to Prof. Mahalanobis and underlined the significance of robust statistical systems in policy planning. Emphasising reforms like digital transformation, integrated survey frameworks, and real-time data tools, he lauded MoSPI’s transparent and inclusive approach.
In his welcome address, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, reflected on the evolution of the NSS since 1950 and highlighted key reforms such as quicker data release, the use of digital tools like CAPI, the eSankhyiki portal, and adoption of administrative statistics.
Dr. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman of the National Statistical Commission, emphasized the role of statistics in broader governance and urged the statistical community to explore uniform methodologies in areas like online assessments and e-voting.
A commemorative coin, customized stamp, and several key publications, including the Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2025 and the NSS Report on Nutritional Intake in India 2022–24, were released. The GoIStat mobile app was also launched to enhance public access to official data.
Dr. Prajamitra Bhuyan, Assistant Professor at IIM Calcutta, received the 2025 Prof. C.R. Rao National Award for his notable contributions to statistics. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Shamika Ravi explored the impact of frontier technologies on official statistics, with insights from industry, academia, and public institutions.
The event saw participation from over 700 delegates, including government officials, international agencies, academics, and industry leaders, reinforcing MoSPI’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and a data-driven future.
