National Statistical Organization (NSO)

Here’s a short note on National Statistical Organization (NSO) :

National Statistical Organization (NSO)

1. Formation and Structure:

• The NSO was formed by merging the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) in 2005.
• It operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

1. Objectives:

• To provide reliable and timely statistical data to support policy-making and planning.
• To ensure the collection of unbiased data to restore public trust in government-released figures.

1. Key Functions:

• Conducting large-scale sample surveys on various socio-economic subjects.
• Collecting data on rural and urban prices, and improving crop statistics through supervision of area enumeration and crop estimation surveys.
• Maintaining a frame of urban area units for use in sample surveys in urban areas.

1. Divisions:

• Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD): Responsible for technical planning of surveys, formulation of concepts and definitions, sampling design, and analysis of survey results. Located in Kolkata.
• Field Operations Division (FOD): Responsible for the collection of primary data for surveys. Headquartered in Delhi/Faridabad with a network of regional and sub-regional offices.
• Data Processing Division (DPD): Handles sample selection, software development, processing, validation, and tabulation of data collected through surveys. Headquartered in Kolkata.
• Survey Coordination Division (SCD): Coordinates activities of different divisions and publishes the bi-annual journal “Sarvekshana”.

1. Key Personalities:

• Chairperson: Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar (appointed on 30 Nov 2022 for a period of three years).
• Members: Prof. Mukesh Mohania, Prof. Debasis Kundu, Prof. A. Ganesh Kumar, Shri Asit Kumar Sandhu.
• Ex-Officio Member: Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam (ex. CEO of NITI Aayog).
• Secretary to the Commission: Dr. Saurabh Garg.

1. Historical Background:

• The NSO was established based on the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission.
• The National Statistical Commission (NSC) was formed on 12 July 2006 to address the problems faced by statistical agencies in data collection.

1. Significance:

• The NSO plays a crucial role in providing accurate and reliable statistical data, which is essential for informed decision-making and policy formulation.
• It helps in monitoring and evaluating the progress of various government programs and initiatives.

1. Publications and Reports:

• The NSO publishes various reports and surveys, including the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), and the bi-annual journal “Sarvekshana”.

1. Challenges:

• Ensuring the collection of unbiased data from state and central government departments.
• Coordinating activities across different divisions and maintaining the quality and reliability of data.

1. Future Targets:
   • Enhancing the use of technology in data collection and processing.
   • Improving the timeliness and accuracy of statistical data to support evidence-based policy-making.