“National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI: Ongoing National Surveys – January 2026”

Ongoing Surveys by National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI – January 2026

The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, plays a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s statistical system. Through regular and large-scale surveys, NSO provides reliable, timely, and credible data that supports evidence-based policymaking, academic research, and informed decision-making across sectors.

As of January 2026, several key national surveys are being conducted across India. These surveys cover critical areas such as industry, employment, tourism, agriculture, prices, and urban development.

Importance of NSO Surveys

NSO surveys form the backbone of India’s official statistics. The data collected helps:

• Formulate and evaluate public policies
• Measure economic performance and social progress
• Identify sectoral trends and regional disparities
• Support planning, budgeting, and governance
• Enable researchers, institutions, and international agencies to access credible datasets

Participation from citizens, households, enterprises, and institutions ensures that the statistics truly reflect ground realities.

List of Ongoing Surveys

1. Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2024–25

The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is the principal source of industrial statistics in India. It provides comprehensive information on the registered manufacturing sector, including production, employment, capital formation, and input costs.

Coverage: Registered factories under the Factories Act, 1948

Purpose: To assess industrial growth, productivity, and structural changes in the manufacturing sector.

2. Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey (DTES)

Reference Period: July 2025 – June 2026

DTES captures detailed information on domestic tourism trips and expenditure patterns of households within India.

Key Objectives:

• Measure tourism expenditure and travel behavior
• Support tourism policy and infrastructure planning
• Assess the economic contribution of domestic tourism

3. National Household Travel Survey (NHTS)

Reference Period: July 2025 – June 2026

The National Household Travel Survey collects data on travel characteristics of households, including purpose of travel, mode of transport, distance, and frequency.

Significance:

• Supports transport and urban mobility planning
• Helps in infrastructure development and traffic management
• Assists in sustainable transport policy formulation

4. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2026

PLFS provides high-frequency data on employment and unemployment indicators in both rural and urban areas.

Key Indicators:

• Labour force participation rate
• Worker population ratio
• Unemployment rate

The survey is essential for monitoring labour market trends and framing employment-related policies.

5. Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2026

ASUSE focuses on unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, excluding those registered under the Companies Act.

Purpose:

• Assess the size and structure of the informal sector
• Study employment and productivity of small enterprises
• Support MSME and entrepreneurship policies

6. Price Survey

The Price Survey collects retail and wholesale price data of essential commodities and services across markets.

Usage:

• Estimation of inflation indices
• Monitoring price stability
• Supporting fiscal and monetary policy decisions

7. Agriculture Survey (AS)

The Agriculture Survey gathers data on crop production, land use, irrigation, input usage, and farming practices.

Importance:

• Supports agricultural planning and food security
• Helps assess productivity and sustainability
• Aids in farmer welfare and rural development programs

8. Urban Frame Survey (UFS) 2022–2027

The Urban Frame Survey provides an updated sampling frame of urban areas in India.

Role:

• Supports future household and economic surveys
• Reflects urbanization patterns and city expansion
• Enhances accuracy of urban statistics

Confidentiality and Data Protection

All information collected through NSO surveys is strictly confidential and used solely for statistical purposes. The identity of respondents—individuals, households, or enterprises—is never disclosed in reports or microdata released by MoSPI.

Public Cooperation and Participation

Citizens, enterprises, factories, and institutions are requested to extend full cooperation to authorized NSO enumerators. Providing accurate and timely information strengthens the quality of national statistics and contributes directly to India’s development planning.

Conclusion

NSO surveys are a vital national exercise that supports transparent governance, economic planning, and inclusive growth. Active public participation ensures that policies and programs are grounded in reliable data and real-world insights.

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