National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has proposed to conduct a Survey on Migration during July 2026-June 2027.

Migration surveys have been conducted by MoSPI in regular intervals; the most recent data on migration were collected through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020–21 and the Multiple Indicator Survey (2020–21). The forthcoming Survey on Migration is expected to provide comprehensive and up-to-date data on the extent and patterns of migration, both rural–urban and inter-state, along with reasons for migration, return migration, seasonal migration, employment profiles of migrants, etc. The results will be instrumental in understanding labour mobility, remittance flows, etc. Such information will greatly benefit policymakers, planners, researchers, and development practitioners by enabling more targeted interventions in areas such as urban planning, housing, transportation, employment generation, social security and skill development.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted during July 2020–June 2021, the migration rate in India was estimated at 28.9%.

As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2020–21, the migration rate at the all-India level was estimated at 10.7% among male and 47.9% among female. The reasons for migration differ significantly by sex. Among female, marriage accounted for the predominant share of migration, contributing about 86.8 per cent of all female migrants. In contrast, among male, migration in search of employment or better employment constitutes the highest share at 22.8% at the all-India level. These distinct patterns highlight the gender-specific nature of migration in India, with female migration largely influenced by social factors such as marriage, and male migration primarily shaped by labour market opportunities.

This information was given by the 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 in the Rajya Sabha today.

Survey on Migration to collect detailed data on internal migration patterns, reasons, and employment profiles for policy planning. The National Statistics Office proposes a Survey on Migration for July 2026-June 2027 to gather detailed data on rural-urban and inter state migration, reasons for migration, return and seasonal movements, and migrants' employment profiles, building on PLFS 2020-21 findings and intended to inform policy on labour mobility, remittances, urban planning and related social and economic interventions.