The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has significantly reduced the time taken to release National Sample Survey (NSS) data from the earlier 8–9 months to 45–90 days by adopting digital data collection systems and implementing methodological reforms, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh said the ministry has modernised survey operations through digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and the e-SIGMA system.
According to the minister, these platforms incorporate in-built validation checks, real-time data monitoring, AI-enabled chatbots and multilingual interfaces, helping improve data quality while substantially reducing the time required to publish official statistics.
The ministry said annual survey results are now released within 90 to 120 days of survey completion, quarterly survey results within 45 to 60 days, and monthly survey findings within 15 to 30 days.
As part of wider statistical reforms, MoSPI has also revised the base year for several key macroeconomic indicators. The base year for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has been updated from 2011-12 to 2022-23, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base has been revised from 2012=100 to 2024=100.
The revised statistical series incorporate updated data sources, broader sectoral coverage, revised item baskets and weights, improved estimation methodologies, greater use of administrative databases such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) network and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs database, along with internationally accepted statistical practices.
The minister said MoSPI also undertakes periodic reviews of statistical standards, survey questionnaires, sampling methodologies, field procedures and data validation protocols before every major survey through consultations with experts, state governments and other stakeholders.
To generate more frequent socio-economic indicators, the ministry has introduced short-duration surveys and modified the sampling design of major surveys by adopting districts as the basic sampling unit. This enables states to generate district-level estimates for key socio-economic indicators.
The ministry has also strengthened transparency and public access to official statistics through the revamped Microdata Portal, which provides anonymised unit-level survey data. Other initiatives, including the Advance Release Calendar, GoIStats mobile application, e-Sankhyiki Portal and application programming interfaces (APIs), have further improved dissemination of official statistics and data access for researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
