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India Launches AI-Driven Overhaul of National Statistical System
India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced a comprehensive modernization plan for the country’s statistical architecture, aiming to embed artificial intelligence across official data systems, create a national business register, and treat data as an economic asset.
The initiative follows recent revisions to the base years of key economic indicators—gross domestic product (GDP), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)—and represents the next phase of the government’s effort to improve the accuracy and timeliness of economic statistics.
MoSPI has set up a dedicated sub‑committee to study the implementation of the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA) 2025. According to the ministry’s secretary, Saurabh Garg, the committee will focus on technical aspects of the framework, including the recognition of data as an asset, and assess how best to adapt SNA 2025 to the Indian context. The SNA 2025 revision, adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in March 2025, expands the scope of national accounts beyond traditional GDP measures.
In addition to the SNA work, MoSPI is developing an Index of Service Production, expected to be released by July. The index will provide timely insights into services sectors such as trade, transport, financial services and information technology. Garg said that the ministry will continue to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning and big‑data techniques into official statistics, and will work on harmonising administrative datasets.
The government has already established a Data Innovation Lab and entered into collaborations with multiple stakeholders to develop practical use cases for AI in statistical work. Ensuring data quality remains a priority; the ministry explained that data collected undergoes multiple layers of scrutiny and validation. Before each National Sample Survey, field officials receive extensive training on survey concepts, schedules and digital data‑collection tools, and receive continuous guidance during the survey period.
MoSPI is also prioritising the harmonisation of administrative data across states and union territories to ensure interoperability, integration readiness and suitability for AI‑based applications. The ministry is working with states and UTs under a revamped Support for Statistical Strengthening Scheme, with a long‑term vision that every state and UT will operate a fully integrated, high‑frequency statistical system by 2047.
As an intermediate step, the ministry plans to launch a state‑wise indicator dashboard on its e‑Sankhyiki platform. The dashboard will allow users to access and compare socioeconomic indicators across states from a single interface. Garg highlighted efforts to create state‑level data‑exchange portals where datasets are generated at the source and managed through fully automated systems from production to dissemination, enabling seamless data sharing and reuse.
MoSPI is also working on a National Statistical Business Register that aims to establish a comprehensive database of business establishments across the country. The register will support policy analysis, tax administration and economic planning.
The modernization plan is part of a broader strategy to make India’s statistical system more data‑driven and responsive. By integrating AI and machine learning, the ministry hopes to improve the speed and accuracy of data collection and analysis, while the recognition of data as an asset aligns with global trends in data governance and economic measurement.
The initiative is still in the planning and pilot phases. Key milestones include the release of the Index of Service Production in July, the launch of the e‑Sankhyiki dashboard, and the establishment of the National Statistical Business Register. The effectiveness of AI integration and the adoption of SNA 2025 will be monitored through ongoing pilots and stakeholder feedback.
In summary, India’s statistical overhaul seeks to modernise data collection, enhance data quality, and leverage AI to provide policymakers with more timely and accurate economic information. The success of these efforts will depend on sustained investment in technology, training, and cross‑government collaboration.
The initiative follows recent revisions to the base years of key economic indicators—gross domestic product (GDP), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)—and represents the next phase of the government’s effort to improve the accuracy and timeliness of economic statistics.
MoSPI has set up a dedicated sub‑committee to study the implementation of the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA) 2025. According to the ministry’s secretary, Saurabh Garg, the committee will focus on technical aspects of the framework, including the recognition of data as an asset, and assess how best to adapt SNA 2025 to the Indian context. The SNA 2025 revision, adopted by the UN Statistical Commission in March 2025, expands the scope of national accounts beyond traditional GDP measures.
In addition to the SNA work, MoSPI is developing an Index of Service Production, expected to be released by July. The index will provide timely insights into services sectors such as trade, transport, financial services and information technology. Garg said that the ministry will continue to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning and big‑data techniques into official statistics, and will work on harmonising administrative datasets.
The government has already established a Data Innovation Lab and entered into collaborations with multiple stakeholders to develop practical use cases for AI in statistical work. Ensuring data quality remains a priority; the ministry explained that data collected undergoes multiple layers of scrutiny and validation. Before each National Sample Survey, field officials receive extensive training on survey concepts, schedules and digital data‑collection tools, and receive continuous guidance during the survey period.
MoSPI is also prioritising the harmonisation of administrative data across states and union territories to ensure interoperability, integration readiness and suitability for AI‑based applications. The ministry is working with states and UTs under a revamped Support for Statistical Strengthening Scheme, with a long‑term vision that every state and UT will operate a fully integrated, high‑frequency statistical system by 2047.
As an intermediate step, the ministry plans to launch a state‑wise indicator dashboard on its e‑Sankhyiki platform. The dashboard will allow users to access and compare socioeconomic indicators across states from a single interface. Garg highlighted efforts to create state‑level data‑exchange portals where datasets are generated at the source and managed through fully automated systems from production to dissemination, enabling seamless data sharing and reuse.
MoSPI is also working on a National Statistical Business Register that aims to establish a comprehensive database of business establishments across the country. The register will support policy analysis, tax administration and economic planning.
The modernization plan is part of a broader strategy to make India’s statistical system more data‑driven and responsive. By integrating AI and machine learning, the ministry hopes to improve the speed and accuracy of data collection and analysis, while the recognition of data as an asset aligns with global trends in data governance and economic measurement.
The initiative is still in the planning and pilot phases. Key milestones include the release of the Index of Service Production in July, the launch of the e‑Sankhyiki dashboard, and the establishment of the National Statistical Business Register. The effectiveness of AI integration and the adoption of SNA 2025 will be monitored through ongoing pilots and stakeholder feedback.
In summary, India’s statistical overhaul seeks to modernise data collection, enhance data quality, and leverage AI to provide policymakers with more timely and accurate economic information. The success of these efforts will depend on sustained investment in technology, training, and cross‑government collaboration.
