Challenges and Opportunities
India¡¯s National Statistical System is one of the largest and most intricate statistical operations in the world, serving a diverse population of over 1.4 billion people. It operates through a structured yet decentralized framework, ensuring the collection, processing, and dissemination of data that supports evidence-based policymaking and governance. The scale of India¡¯s statistical system is unparalleled¡ªwith 4,000-5,000 full-time professionals at the central level, over 6000 field investigators and supervisors during major survey operations, and State Statistical Bureaus across India¡¯s 28 states and 8 union territories, each with its own statistical offices and thousands of additional staff.
This year, the National Sample Survey (NSS), is celebrating 75 years of its contribution to shaping India¡¯s development. Through large-scale surveys, it has provided crucial insights into the realities of millions¡ªguiding policies that have reduced poverty, expanded access to education and healthcare, and empowered marginalized communities. From influencing India¡¯s Five-Year Plans to informing modern social programs, the NSS has been a silent yet powerful force behind the country¡¯s progress. Its impact extends globally, setting methodological benchmarks that support the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reaffirming that robust data is the foundation of good governance.
Modernizing India¡¯s Statistical System for a Data-Driven Future
With India¡¯s rich digital footprint, rapid technological advancements, and dynamic economy, expectations from the country¡¯s statistical system are evolving. Innovations such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), and the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) have opened new opportunities for leveraging digital tools in all sectors¡ªincluding the statistical system. In this era of digital transformation, where policymakers and citizens demand faster and more accurate data to address climate change, economic challenges, and demographic shifts, innovation is key.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) is spearheading reforms to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as AI and big data, enhancing both speed and precision while preserving the scientific rigor and inclusivity that define its traditional methods. As India tackles climate resilience, gender equity, and inclusive growth, the NSO is poised to play a critical role in strengthening the national data ecosystem.
The NSO is actively working to modernize survey data collection, enhance the use of administrative data, and improve the user-relevance of statistical products with a strong emphasis on quality assurance. As India moves toward its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030, a modern, agile, and responsive national statistical system is essential to support the country¡¯s vision of economic growth, poverty eradication, and balanced sector development.
Join the Discussion
Join us on Wednesday, March 12, for a unique opportunity to engage with Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI and Head of NSO, India, as he shares insights on one of the world¡¯s most complex statistical systems and its ambitious reform agenda. The discussion will explore the evolution, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening India¡¯s data infrastructure to support informed decision-making.
The event will feature Dr. Graciela M¨¢rquez, President of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), as a discussant, sharing insights from INEGI's reform journey to enhance and strengthen the national statistical system. Also, Haishan Fu, World Bank Group Chief Statistician, and Luis Felipe L¨®pez-Calva, Global Director of the Poverty and Equity Global Practice, will participate and share insights on the World Bank¡¯s latest data initiatives.
Don¡¯t miss this opportunity to engage in a conversation on the future of data-driven governance in India and beyond!
Speaker
Dr. Saurabh Garg ¡ª Secretary, MoSPI and Head, National Statistics Office, India
Dr. Saurabh Garg serves as Secretary of India¡¯s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Previously, he was Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, where the focus is on vulnerable communities, and has led the Unique Identification Authority of India to strengthen the Aadhaar system. He also worked in the Ministry of Finance on Direct Benefit Transfer and Foreign Direct Investment policy. An Indian Administrative Service officer, he has held senior roles in Government of Odisha and served as an Adviser at the World Bank. Dr. Garg holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, and a B.Tech from IIT Delhi.
Discussants
Dr. Graciela M¨¢rquez ¡ª President of the Governing Board, National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico.
Graciela M¨¢rquez is the President of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, INEGI, since January 1st 2022. She had previously been appointed as Vice-president of INEGI in 2021, where she oversaw the National Subsystem for Economic Information. In the public sector, she served as Minister of Economy from 2018 to 2020, becoming the first woman in this position in the country¡¯s history. M¨¢rquez also served as a professor at El Colegio de Mexico from 1998 to 2018. An economist by training, Marquez holds a bachelor¡¯s degree from the Universidad Nacional Aut¨®noma de M¨¦xico, a master¡¯s degree from the El Colegio de Mexico, and a doctorate in Economic History from Harvard University.
Haishan Fu ¡ª World Bank Chief Statistician & Director, Development Data Group.
Haishan Fu is the World Bank Chief Statistician and Director of the Development Data Group. In her dual role, Haishan leads and coordinates the Bank¡¯s development data agenda. A lifelong advocate for unlocking the power of data to improve lives, Haishan has been at the forefront of the global data discourse as a prominent thought leader, expert advisor, and academic and policy researcher for over three decades.
Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva ¡ª Global Director of the Poverty & Equity Global Practice, World Bank Group.
Luis Felipe L¨®pez-Calva is the Global Director for Poverty and Equity at the World Bank. Prior to rejoining the World Bank in 2022, he served as UN Assistant Secretary General and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations Development Program. Previously, L¨®pez-Calva led research, financing, and policy engagement on poverty and inequality issues across multiple regions, and served as the Co-Director for the World Development Report 2017 on Governance and the Law.