India to Launch Major National Surveys in April 2026
The National Statistical Office (NSO) is gearing up to launch two crucial national surveys—the National Household Income Survey (NHIS) and the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)—beginning April 2026. With the intention of enhancing India’s statistical framework, these initiatives are set to address enduring data deficiencies, particularly surrounding household income and the service sector.
To prepare for these upcoming surveys, a two-day All-India Workshop of Trainers (AIWOT) was held at Le Royal Meridien in Chennai on January 28-29, 2026. This workshop saw participation from around 300 officials across the nation, representing 6 Zonal, 53 Regional, and 116 Sub-Regional offices of the Field Operations Division (FOD). Attendees also included members from the Coordination & Quality Control Division (CQCD), Household Survey Division (HSD), and Enterprise Survey Division (EnSD).
Workshop Highlights
The workshop was inaugurated by Smt. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General of the National Sample Survey (NSS). In her opening address, she underscored the significance of the NHIS and ASISSE, noting that they mark a considerable advancement in bridging data gaps within India’s economic planning. The NHIS aims to gather comprehensive data on individuals’ living conditions and income distribution, facilitating comparisons across households and regions.
Smt. Rathore further explained that the ASISSE is tailored to thoroughly analyze the incorporated service sector by utilizing data from the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). This survey is expected to yield crucial state- and industry-level economic indicators, such as Gross Value Added (GVA), fixed capital, capital formation, employment, and worker compensation.
Focus on Data Quality
During the workshop, senior officials from various divisions of NSO reiterated the importance of data accuracy and stressed the need for effective field implementation and multi-tier training. They encouraged participants to foster trust with respondents and adopt innovative outreach strategies, including the use of social media, to enhance data collection efforts.
Comprehensive Coverage
Both the NHIS and ASISSE are designed to deliver insightful statistics that will support analysis of income trends and ensure informed policy formulations across socio-economic groups. The findings from these surveys will be instrumental in assessing household well-being and access to essential goods and services. Furthermore, the ASISSE intends to build a detailed database related to the corporate aspect of India’s service sector through an enterprise-based methodology using the GSTN framework.
The AIWOT concluded with a strong commitment to excellence and professionalism, setting the stage for the successful execution of both surveys. The NHIS and ASISSE will be conducted digitally, with preparations in place for training field enumerators and supervisors. Notably, the surveys will encompass the entire Indian Union, excluding the remote villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where access remains challenging year-round.
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