Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, 1999

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Policy Update
Akanksha Baronia

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation came into existence as an Independent Ministry on 15 October 1999, following the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation. The Ministry has two wings, one relating to Statistics and the other to Programme Implementation. The Statistics Wing, also known as the National Statistical Office (NSO), comprises the Central Statistical Office, the Data Informatics & Innovation Division, and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The Programme Implementation Wing has three divisions: the Twenty-Point Programme, Infrastructure Monitoring, and Project Monitoring, as well as the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation attaches considerable importance to coverage and quality aspects of statistics released in the country. India is a subscriber to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standards and is currently fulfilling the standards.

Functions

NSO is mandated with the following responsibilities:

  1. acts as the nodal agency for planned development of the statistical system in the country, lays down and maintains norms and standards in the field of statistics, involving concepts and definitions, methodology of data collection, processing of data and dissemination of results.
  2. coordinates the statistical work in respect of the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and the State Statistical Bureau, and advises the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India on Statistical methodology and on Statistical analysis of data.
  3. prepares national accounts as well as publishes annual estimates of national product, government and private consumption expenditure, capital formation, savings, estimates of capital stock and consumption of fixed capital.
  4. maintains liaison with international statistical organisations such as the United Nations Statistical Division, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, etc.
  5. compiles and releases the Index of Industrial Production every month in the form of ‘quick estimates’- conducts the Annual Survey of Industries; and provides statistical information to assess and evaluate the changes in the growth, composition and structure of the organised manufacturing sector.
  6. releases grants-in-aid to registered Non-Governmental Organisations and research institutions.
  7. examines the survey reports from the technical angle and evaluates the sampling design, including survey feasibility studies.
  8. conducts large-scale-all-India surveys for creating the database needed for studying the impact of specific problems for the benefit of different population groups.

The Programme Implementation Wing has the following responsibilities:

  1. Monitoring of the Twenty Point Programme.
  2. Monitoring the performance of the country’s 11 key infrastructure sectors, viz, Power, Coal, Steel, Railways, Telecommunication, Ports, Fertilisers, Cement, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Roads and Civil Aviation.
  3. Monitoring of all Central Sector Projects costing ₹ 150 crore and above.
  4. Monitoring the implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

Significant Achievements and Milestones of MOSPI India

  1. Revision of National Accounts: MOSPI has updated the base year for macroeconomic aggregates like GDP, which improves the accuracy and relevance of economic data.
  2. Launch of the Periodic Labour Force Survey: This new survey provides reliable employment data to support labour market analysis.
  3. Introduction of the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile App: Enhanced transparency and efficiency in the MPLADS. It helps MPs to track and manage development projects in real time.
  4. Adoption of the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics: MOSPI has reinforced its commitment to good governance by adopting international standards for data management.
  5. Enhancements in the Consumer Price Index: The base year for the CPI has been updated. It reflects current economic conditions for more accurate inflation tracking.

Impact of MOSPI

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) is a cornerstone of India’s data infrastructure, ensuring that reliable and systematic statistics are available for governance, policy, and research. By compiling and publishing diverse sets of economic and social indicators, the ministry directly supports evidence-based decision-making and enhances transparency in government functioning.

One of MOSPI’s primary contributions lies in providing credible and consistent economic data. Reports such as the National Accounts Statistics, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are essential for monitoring growth, inflation, and production trends. These data points guide the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NITI Aayog, and other policy institutions in designing strategies, managing inflation, and distributing resources effectively.

Another crucial impact of MOSPI is in policy design and assessment. Through large-scale surveys like the National Sample Survey (NSS) and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the ministry generates insights into employment conditions, household consumption, poverty, and social well-being. These findings inform the creation and refinement of welfare programmes such as food subsidies, rural employment schemes, and healthcare initiatives, ensuring that public spending reaches the groups that need it most.

MOSPI also plays a significant role in programme oversight and accountability. Tracking initiatives such as the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and monitoring infrastructure projects helps reduce inefficiencies, delays, and cost overruns. This oversight fosters greater transparency in governance and builds public confidence in the effectiveness of government interventions.

In addition, MOSPI strengthens India’s global statistical credibility by adhering to international reporting standards established by the UN, IMF, and World Bank. This alignment ensures that Indian statistics are comparable with global datasets, which not only enhances academic research but also helps attract international investment by presenting India as a data-reliable economy.

Finally, MOSPI’s efforts to modernise data collection and dissemination—through initiatives like e-Surveys and the National Data Warehouse—have made statistics more accessible and user-friendly. These innovations improve both the speed and accuracy of data, closing gaps that once limited policy efficiency.

MOSPI’s Contribution to National Policy Making

  1. Economic Planning and Analysis: MOSPI provides essential data on economic indicators like GDP, inflation rates, and industrial production through its statistical projects like the National Accounts Statistics and the Index of Industrial Production. This data helps the government to assess the health of the economy, make informed decisions, and plan economic policies effectively.
  2. Sectoral Impact Assessment: Through surveys such as the Annual Survey of Industries and environmental statistics like EnviStats, MOSPI India helps the government understand the impact of various sectors on the economy and environment. This aids in preparing targeted policies that promote sustainable development and efficient resource management.
  3. Social and Economic Research: The extensive socio-economic surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Office under MOSPI, such as those on consumer expenditure, employment, health, and education, provide a detailed understanding of the living conditions of the Indian population.
  4. Data-driven Decision Making: MOSPI India enhances the government’s ability to make data-driven decisions by providing reliable, timely, and transparent data. This capability is integral to developing effective policies that can adapt to the dynamic needs of the nation.
  5. International Standards and Collaboration: By adhering to international standards and actively collaborating with global organisations, MOSPI ensures that the statistical data and methodologies used are of the highest quality.

Way Forward 

It’s evident that the ministry’s comprehensive approach to statistical data collection, analysis, and the implementation of various national projects significantly influences India’s development trajectory. The integration of advanced technologies and adherence to international standards enhance the accuracy and reliability of the data that MOSPI 

References 

  • Government of India. (2023). National Accounts Statistics 2023. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). http://mospi.gov.in
  • Government of India. (2023). Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Annual Report 2022–23. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). http://mospi.gov.in

About the Author: Akanksha Baronia is currently pursuing her postgraduate degree in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is a research intern at IMPRI.

Acknowledgment: The author sincerely thanks the IMPRI team for their valuable support.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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