New Delhi: In a move aimed at ensuring uniform standards and methodologies across all statistics and data providers including the private sector, a parliamentary panel has recommended granting full statutory powers to the National Statistical Commission (NSC), India’s nodal agency for core statistical activities.
The standing committee on finance in its report tabled in Lok Sabha Tuesday has also observed that the growing number of private players generating economic data is creating inconsistencies that not only confuse stakeholders but also erode trust in official numbers.
To restore credibility, the committee has urged the government to “establish the NSC as the nodal and autonomous body for all core statistical activities” with full statutory backing. This would empower the commission to prescribe methodologies and data sources for both government agencies and private data firms.
The committee chaired by BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab resurrected in the report, a two-decade-old recommendation of the Rangarajan Commission, which had also proposed a permanent statutory body to oversee official statistics.
Another pressing concern flagged by the committee is the treatment of India’s informal sector, which accounts for over 60 percent of the economy but is not accurately represented in macro-economic indicators like the gross domestic product (GDP).
The report states that a “comprehensive reflection of all economic activities and services, including those within the informal sector, is imperative for a clear and accurate understanding of the economic landscape”.
With the National Statistical Office (NSO) currently undertaking base-year revisions for GDP, Index of industrial production (IIP), and consumer price index (CPI)—expected to be implemented in early 2026—the committee urged the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to use this opportunity to refine methodologies and expand data coverage.
“A revitalised and empowered NSC will not only enhance the accuracy, comparability, and timeliness of India’s statistics but will also ensure that policy decisions are based on comprehensive and inclusive data,” the report says, adding, “This is crucial for India to achieve its long-term developmental goals and establish itself as a data-resilient, knowledge-driven economy by 2047.”
Issue of data overlap
The committee also noted overlaps and discrepancies in the data released on the same subject by Indian Statistical Institute, NSC, MoSPI and other Ministries, which has resulted in different analyses, outcomes and policy conclusions.
According to the report, these are arising due to differences in the set of samples, data collection and processing methodologies.
While MoSPI has issued metadata uniformity guidelines and advised ministries to harmonise their datasets, the committee insists that the problem must be addressed at the earliest. It also recommends synchronisation of all statistical activities, including how indices are published to ensure comprehensive analysis and coherent policy making.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence
The committee acknowledges MoSPI’s push to integrate AI within the National Statistical System (NSS) as part of the broader modernisation efforts in data processing. However, it stresses on the need for building capacity at NSS by ensuring that all in the workforce are well-equipped to implement and manage AI-driven solutions effectively and ethically.
Operating under MoSPI, the National Statistical System is a network of central and state-level organisations responsible for collecting, processing, and disseminating official statistics.
In the report, the committee also emphasised the need for ethical frameworks and oversight mechanisms to govern the use of AI, given the sensitive nature of statistical data.
To promote transparency and stakeholder engagement, the committee urged the ministry to publish periodical reports on AI adoption progress, its impact on data quality and efforts made towards workforce capacity building programmes.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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