District-Level Data: A New Frontier for India's Statistics Ministry

NEW DELHI: In a significant push towards localized data collection, Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, emphasized the need for the statistics ministry to pivot towards generating district-level socio-economic data. This shift aims to refine policy targeting and design, ensuring comprehensive improvements in outcomes across the board.

Innovating Data Collection with AI and ML

Kant highlighted the transformative potential of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in revolutionizing data collection methods. By automating processes, these technologies promise to enhance the timeliness and quality of official statistics, as evidenced by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) exploration of AI for data collection and analysis.

Integrating Non-Traditional Data Sources

Further, Kant proposed the incorporation of non-traditional data sources, such as satellite imagery and mobile data, to complement existing survey data. This approach is poised to play a pivotal role in India's growth trajectory over the next 25 to 100 years, underscoring the importance of adept data collection, interpretation, and utilization.

Government's Commitment to Advancing NSS

Rao Inderjit Singh, MoS for statistics & programme implementation, reiterated the government's dedication to advancing the National Sample Survey (NSS). By integrating new technologies and ensuring its relevance, the NSS continues to influence key areas like employment, consumption, health, and education, driving critical policy decisions.