India Modernises Core Economic Data Systems to Reflect Changing Economy
India is undertaking a major overhaul of its national statistical system to ensure that official economic data keeps pace with the country’s rapidly changing economic structure. The reforms, led by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), aim to make key indicators more accurate, timely and reflective of present-day realities.
Over the past decade, the Indian economy has undergone significant transformation. The services sector has expanded sharply, digital platforms have reshaped business activity, formalisation has increased under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and new sectors such as renewable energy and digital services have gained prominence. In response to these shifts, the government has initiated wide-ranging updates to the way economic data is compiled and released.
A central feature of this effort is the revision of the base year for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2011–12 to 2022–23. Rebasing allows national income estimates to better capture current production patterns, consumption behaviour and price structures. The year 2022–23 was selected as it represents a stable, post-pandemic period. While the overall framework of GDP estimation remains unchanged, new data sources — including GST filings, e-Vahan vehicle registration data and the Public Financial Management System — are being integrated to improve accuracy and detail. The revised GDP series is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.
Similarly, the base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is being updated to 2024. The revision draws on findings from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24 to update the consumption basket and expenditure weights for both rural and urban households. This process has involved an expert group comprising representatives from the Reserve Bank of India, various ministries and academic experts, along with consultations with international organisations. The new CPI series will be released on February 12, 2026.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which tracks changes in industrial output, is also being rebased to 2022–23. The updated series will incorporate revised product baskets, new weights and improved coverage of industries to reflect technological and structural changes. The new IIP series is slated for release on May 28, 2026.
Beyond these headline indicators, the reforms place strong emphasis on improving data for the informal and services sectors, which account for a large share of employment and output. To address data gaps in the organised services segment, the National Statistical Office (NSO) conducted a pilot for the Annual Survey of Service Sector Enterprises (ASSSE). At the same time, the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) has been strengthened with the introduction of Quarterly Bulletins on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (QBUSE) from 2025, providing more frequent insights into the informal non-agricultural sector.
Labour market data has also been made more frequent and detailed through changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Since January 2025, the survey has been generating monthly national labour indicators, while quarterly estimates now cover both rural and urban areas, with state-level data available for selected states.
A key structural reform across surveys is the adoption of districts as core sampling units, allowing the generation of district-level estimates in major surveys such as PLFS and ASUSE. This move is intended to support more decentralised and evidence-based planning. So far, 27 states have agreed to participate in major NSO surveys during 2026–27.
Data collection methods have also been modernised. Surveys are now largely conducted using the e-SIGMA digital platform, which enables computer-assisted interviews with real-time validation and quicker data transmission. As a result, publication timelines have shortened significantly, with monthly results released within 15–30 days, quarterly results within 45–60 days, and annual results within 90–120 days of survey completion.
To meet emerging policy needs, MoSPI has also introduced Comprehensive Modular Surveys. Recent rounds have collected focused data on telecom and digital skills, household spending on education including private coaching, and private sector capital expenditure plans through a web-based reporting system.
Public access to official statistics has expanded through new digital platforms. The GoIStats mobile app offers visual access to major economic indicators, while the e-Sankhyiki portal provides a large repository of datasets across ministries and institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India. The upgraded Microdata Portal, developed with technical support from the World Bank, enables access to unit-level survey data and has recorded 88 lakh visits since January 2025.
Additional initiatives include new websites for the National Statistical Commission and the National Statistical Systems Training Academy, as well as portals dedicated to data innovation, internships and metadata.
Together, these measures represent a comprehensive effort to make India’s official statistics more responsive to economic change, more detailed at local levels and more accessible to policymakers, researchers and the public.
