NSO Hosts Workshop for Upcoming National Surveys
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently hosted the All-India Workshop of Trainers (AIWOT) in New Delhi. Taking place on December 17, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre, this one-day event focused on the upcoming Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2026 and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2026. With around 300 participants from various regional offices, the workshop marked a crucial step in preparing for the countrywide data collection efforts.
Key Insights from the Workshop
The workshop was officially inaugurated by Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI, who underscored the importance of ASUSE and PLFS. He stated that these surveys are vital in providing insights into labour markets and the unincorporated sectors of the economy. Dr. Garg pointed out the growing recognition of data as a strategic asset by the United Nations, highlighting the need for robust data analysis to inform policy decisions. He emphasized that credible, reliable, and timely data is foundational for national development, especially as analytics and Artificial Intelligence gain traction in policy-making.
Enhancements to Data Collection
During the workshop, Smt. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General of the National Sample Survey (NSS), shared insights on the NSS’s recognition for conducting large-scale surveys with transparency and methodological rigor. She noted that feedback received from users has driven conceptual and operational changes in both ASUSE and PLFS, aimed at improving survey effectiveness. This session served to clarify these changes before field operations begin.
The Role of Training in Data Quality
Senior officers from various divisions of NSS discussed the critical role of training in ensuring data quality. They highlighted reliability, transparency, and standardization as essential components for maintaining public trust in official statistics. Furthermore, structured feedback from survey fields was encouraged to facilitate continuous improvement, stressing the importance of effective coordination and supervision.
Focus Areas of Upcoming Surveys
The ASUSE 2026 will concentrate exclusively on the economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in sectors such as manufacturing and trade. Conversely, the PLFS will remain the primary source for official data regarding labor force participation, employment, and unemployment across India. These surveys are set to commence in January 2026 and will cover all regions of India, with the exception of remote areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Adapting to New Data Realities
Based on input from data user conferences and stakeholder consultations, several updates have been made to the ASUSE and PLFS questionnaires. ASUSE 2026 will now use the National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 and align with the Central Product Classification (CPC) 3.0. For the PLFS, new questions will be added to capture data on platform workers—individuals who facilitate goods or services through digital platforms. This aligns with updates to the PLFS schedule using NIC 2025, ensuring more precise economic activity data collection.
The workshop concluded with a strong commitment from master trainers across states and union territories, who will lead regional training sessions for enumerators and supervisors. The focus remains on promoting professionalism and quality, which are essential for the successful execution of ASUSE 2026 and PLFS 2026, ultimately reinforcing India’s statistical infrastructure.
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