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 all National Sample Surveys conducted by this Ministry, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has constituted the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS) vide order dated 14.06.2024 as per the recommendation of National Statistical Commission (NSC). Further, so far as the Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES) is concerned, no such committee exists as on date in MoSPI.The details of Steering Committee for NSS including composition and Terms of Reference are given in the Statement at Annexure.

Annexure

The details including composition and terms of reference are as under:

1. Composition of the Steering Committee:

	Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman (NSC)	Chairman
	Prof. Bimal Kumar Roy, former Professor, ISI Kolkata	Member
	Dr. Tathagata Bandyopadhyay, former Professor, IIM Ahmedabad	Member
	Dr. T. V. Ramanathan, D/o Statistics, S. P. Pune University	Member
	Prof. Sonal De Desai, Professor, NCAER, New Delhi	Member
	Dr. Biswanath Goldar, former Professor, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), New Delhi	Member
	Dr. Mausumi Bose, former Professor, ISI Kolkata	Member
	Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, Professor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai	Member
	Chief Economic Adviser, DEA or its representative [Ms. Anuradha Guru, Economic Adviser]	Member
	Representative from Reserve Bank of India [Shri Ravi Shankar, Adviser, RBI]	Member
	CEO, NITI Aayog or its representative [Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog]	Member
	Director General (NSS), MoSPI	Member
	Director General(Statistics), MoSPI, New Delhi	Member
	ADG, SCD, NSSO, MoSPI, New Delhi	Member
	ADG, SDRD, NSSO, MoSPI, Kolkata	Member
	Director, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Govt.. of Uttar Pradesh	Member
	Director, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Govt. of Karnataka	Member
	DDG, Survey Coordination Division, NSSO, MoSPI	Non-Member Secretary

(Note 1. The Member(s) at Sr. No. 2 to 7 above may be treated as Non-Official Member (s) as on date.

Note 2.It is further clarified that, where the membership is not designation-based in para Α above, such Members of the Steering Committee will be deemed nominated by their names. Members at serial numbers 12 to 17 would be deemed nominated as per their designation. Moreover, Members at serial numbers 9, 10 & 11 would be deemed nominated as per their designation or represented from their respective offices.)

B.  The tenure of the Steering Committee will be for a period of two years. The Steering Committee shall make recommendations to NSC on the matters specified in following Terms of Reference (ToR).

(a) To review the extant framework and to address the issues raised from time to time on the subject results/ methodology questionnaire, sampling frame, sampling design, concepts and definitions, survey instruments etc. related to all NationalSample Surveys as brought before the Steering Committee.

(b) To examine the issues or any other matters raised from time to time on the subjectmethodology, etc. related to all National Sample Surveys by MOSPI or external entities as brought before the Steering Committee.

(c) To review and advise on survey methodology including sampling frame, sampling design, survey instruments, etc. and to finalize tabulation plan of surveys.

(d) Finalization and approval of survey results/ reports for release.

(e) To provide guidance to conduct pilot surveys/pre-testing, if necessary, before finalizing schedules/ questionnaire for data collection from time to time.

(f) To provide guidance for study and exploring the availability of administrative statistics relating to surveys/statistics.

(g) To provide guidance for study/identify data gaps/additional data requirements, if any, in respect of surveys/statistics and suggest appropriate strategy for improvement.

(h) To provide technical guidance to the Central and State (wherever State participation is there) level agencies for the conduct of the surveys.

(i) Deliberate on any other matter relating to or incidental to the surveys/survey results referred to Steering Committee from time to time.

C. The Steering Committee will have the provision to constitute Working Group(s) for aforesaid purposes, if required. The Working Group(s) so formed will directly report to the Steering Committee.

D. The Survey Coordination Division (SCD) of NSSO shall issue separate order(s) for constitution of such Working Group(s) after taking due approval of the Competent Authority and provide all requisite secretarial assistance to such Working Group(s) for the administrative and financial purposes.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys to review methodology, finalize tabulation, and approve survey results under two-year tenure. Constitution of a Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys with a two year tenure, comprising nominated officials, representatives and expert members, tasked to review and advise on survey methodology (sampling frame, sampling design, questionnaires), finalize tabulation plans, conduct pilot testing, identify data gaps, provide technical guidance to central and state agencies, and finalize and approve survey results; the Committee may form Working Groups which will report to it, and the Survey Coordination Division will issue orders and provide administrative and financial support.