India has a proud history of statistical innovation. From Mahalanobis’s large sample survey methods to today’s vast crop-cutting experiments, the system has always aimed to balance scientific rigour with policy relevance. But today’s economy is more complex, more digital, and more real-time than ever before. Traditional survey-based methods, though still crucial, are no longer enough on their own.

India’s economy is changing fast. With growing digital access, expanding urbanisation, and evolving consumption patterns, the way we measure the economy must change too. A recent national workshop hosted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recognised this need, opening up an important conversation on how alternative data sources — from mobile data to scanner records — could help strengthen and modernise official statistics.

MoSPI workshop

This two-day National Workshop on the use of alternative data sources and frontier technologies for policy making marked a significant moment in India’s statistical journey — not just for the range of topics it covered, but for the clear message it sent: India’s statistical system is ready to evolve.

At the workshop, officials, statisticians, global experts, and industry representatives discussed how sources like geo-spatial data, administrative records, mobile-generated data, and scanner data can supplement official efforts. These sources already exist in abundance — what’s needed is a roadmap for integrating them thoughtfully and ethically.

Mobile phone data, for instance, can offer insights into internal migration, mobility, and digital access. Geo-spatial tools can improve how we build urban sampling frames. Administrative records — from school enrolments to electricity usage — can add frequency and coverage. Scanner data, gathered at retail billing counters, has the potential to improve how we track consumption and price changes in modern retail spaces.

Need for rethink

The Secretary of the Ministry, speaking at the event, described the present moment as a “Eureka moment” for Indian statistics. He called for a fundamental rethink of what we measure, how often, and why. With over 80 per cent of households using smartphones and nearly 90 per cent of individuals online, the Secretary pointed to a strong foundation for digital data capture.

He also emphasised the need for greater data consistency and interoperability. A unified system of unique identifiers, he said, would help connect datasets across departments and platforms. He highlighted MoSPI’s ongoing work under the National Metadata Structure, and welcomed the launch of EnviStats 2025, which uses satellite and environmental data for more sustainable statistical practices.

Equally important were the remarks of the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, who brought attention to the evolving nature of data and its purpose. He cautioned that having access to more data does not automatically lead to better outcomes. The key, he said, lies in knowing what we want to measure and why. Data must be purposeful. Drawing from his experience with the Aspirational Districts Programme, he explained how statistics can help not just monitor development but shape it.

Combining sources

He also made a strong case for combining multiple sources of information —traditional surveys, digital signals, and administrative records — to form a fuller picture of the country’s development. Evidence-based policymaking, after all, rests on the strength of the evidence.

The workshop also stressed the importance of strengthening traditional statistical foundations. Expanding CPI market coverage, improving rural representation, and wider adoption of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) tools were seen as necessary steps. New data can only complement — not replace — the depth and detail offered by well-run surveys.

Perhaps the most important shift reflected in the workshop was the government’s willingness to collaborate. Many of the new data streams — scanner data, mobile records, digital transactions — are not owned by the state. Public-private partnerships, data-sharing protocols, and clear legal standards will be essential to building a robust and ethical system.

As India moves toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it will need a statistical system that is modern, inclusive, and responsive.

Policymaking in the coming years will demand not just more data, but better, smarter data. That means building systems that can respond to the pace of change, reflect the diversity of the country, and speak to the needs of both planners and citizens.

India’s next leap forward will depend not only on economic performance but also on how well we understand it. In the end, better data leads to better decisions.

If our statistics reflect the real economy, then our policies can serve the real needs of the people. That’s a future worth investing in.

The writer is Deputy Director, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Published on June 11, 2025