VISTAR scheme to modernise India’s statistical system with AI, 59 surveys, 8th Economic Census

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹4,371.10-crore central sector scheme, the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR), for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 to modernise India’s official statistical system through digital transformation, artificial intelligence and improved data governance.

Aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the scheme aims to establish a dynamic, real-time and future-ready statistical architecture with greater data granularity, interoperability and harmonised, AI-ready datasets.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will implement VISTAR through three components: Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem; Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS); and the Economic Census.

59 surveys planned during 16th Finance Commission cycle

Under the Comprehensive Statistical Operations component, MoSPI plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys conducted previously. The expanded survey programme is intended to address critical data gaps across sectors and support more timely and targeted policy interventions.

The ministry will also pursue end-to-end digitalisation of statistical processes and integrate Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into regular workflows, particularly for data processing, validation and analysis.

Two proposed statistical indicators are the Headline Index of Services Production and the Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises. MoSPI also plans to strengthen data harmonisation through cataloguing, machine readability, interoperability, data-sharing protocols and privacy-by-design principles.

The initiative envisages using alternative data sources, including mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data, to complement conventional surveys, reduce respondent burden and fill information gaps. It will also provide opportunities for students and researchers through internship programmes and research proposals from academic and research institutions.

State-level statistical capabilities to be strengthened

The Support for Statistical Strengthening component, described as SSS 2.0, will provide funds to state and Union Territory governments under a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework.

The focus will be on improving the capacity of states to generate high-quality, granular data at district and other disaggregated levels, develop indigenous data-processing capabilities and integrate data into local policymaking.

MoSPI will provide technical support for generating district-level and million-plus city estimates through flagship surveys, including the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) and Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).

The component will also support the compilation of state- and district-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates and state-level Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

8th Economic Census to cover establishments up to local levels

Under the third component, MoSPI will undertake the 8th Economic Census in collaboration with state and Union Territory governments.

The census will collect granular information on non-farm establishments and the workers employed by them, extending coverage up to the Gram Panchayat and ward levels. It is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the unorganised sector and serve as the baseline for developing a National Statistical Business Register.

The proposed register is intended to support targeted enterprise surveys and strategic interventions. Economic Census data will also help policymakers assess the contribution of the unorganised sector to India’s GDP.

Through these measures, VISTAR seeks to strengthen the country’s statistical infrastructure, improve the availability and quality of official data, and support evidence-based policymaking at national, state and local levels.