Modernization of National Sample Surveys has been done through various initiatives such as adoption of digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview and e-SIGMA system

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) undertakes periodic methodological reviews of the statistical framework to ensure that official statistics remain representative of the current structure of the economy and continue to meet emerging data requirements. The major methodological reviews undertaken by the Ministry are outlined below.

MoSPI has undertaken comprehensive base revision exercises for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure that these macroeconomic indicators adequately reflect the evolving structure of the economy and align with international statistical standards. Accordingly, the base year of GDP has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23 based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS); the base year of IIP has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23 under the guidance of the Technical Advisory Committee on IIP; and the base year of CPI has been revised from 2012=100 to 2024=100 under the guidance of an Expert Group constituted for the purpose. These revisions incorporate updated data sources, expanded coverage, revised item baskets and weights, improved estimation methodologies, enhanced use of administrative data sources such as GST and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) database, improved estimation of the unincorporated sector using the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), adoption of internationally accepted statistical practices, and other methodological refinements.

In addition, many technical consultations and brainstorming sessions were held with experts, academicians, State Governments and other stakeholders for seeking their inputs and feedback for base revision exercise of aforementioned macro economic indicators. Moreover, pre-release consultative workshops were also held before the release of the revised series of these indicators.

Further, MoSPI continuously reviews and updates the statistical standards, concepts, classifications, survey instruments and methodologies adopted in National Sample Surveys (NSS) to meet emerging data requirements, align with national and international best practices, and improve the quality, relevance and timeliness of official statistics. Accordingly, survey schedules/questionnaires, sampling design, concepts and definitions, item classifications, field procedures, data collection methodology, validation protocols and tabulation plans are reviewed before each major survey based on recommendations of the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS), Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), survey-specific Technical Expert Groups(TEGs), and consultations with Central Ministries/Departments, State Governments, subject matter experts and other stakeholders. The changes are finalized after pilot studies and field testing, wherever required.

As a result, modernization of National Sample Surveys has been done through various initiatives such as the adoption of digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and the e-SIGMA system, incorporating in-built validation checks, real-time data monitoring, AI-enabled chatbots, and multilingual interfaces. These initiatives have substantially improved data quality and led to reduction in time lag in release of survey data from 8-9 months to 45-90 days. Annual Survey Results are now released within 90-120 days; quarterly results within 45-60 days and monthly results within 15-30 days of completion of surveys. MoSPI has launched short duration surveys to cater the emerging need for high-frequency socio-economic indicators. Additionally, sampling design of major surveys have been modified by adopting district as the basic stratum enabling states to generate district level estimates of key indicators.

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 Lok Sabha.