Central government approves VISTAR scheme for statistical transformation

According to a PIB Delhi report, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the 'Vikshit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics and Research (VISTAR)' scheme for the period from financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31. A total expenditure of ₹4,371.10 crore has been earmarked for this central sector scheme. Aligned with the central objective of Vikshit Bharat 2047, the VISTAR scheme is designed to establish a dynamic, real-time, and future-ready official statistical infrastructure to align with better timeliness, granular data, and AI-ready datasets.

The VISTAR scheme will provide strategic flexibility to allocate resources according to policy requirements. It will promote a holistic approach to the implementation of large-scale surveys, methodological research, digital transformation, and national data governance. This scheme will encompass all statistical and data management activities of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and will play a crucial role in upgrading the country's official statistical system. The VISTAR scheme has three main components.

Under the first component, 'Strengthening of Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Ecosystem', the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation proposes to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission (FC) cycle, whereas 43 major surveys were conducted previously. This will help bridge critical data gaps in various sectors, thereby improving the decision-making process and enabling timely and targeted policy interventions. Furthermore, based on recent digital transformations in technology-enabled data collection and user-centric dissemination, the Ministry will focus on end-to-end digitalization of statistical processes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will be incorporated into regular workflows for data processing, validation, and analysis.

According to the PIB report, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is planning to release new metrics, including a headline index of service production and an index of unincorporated sector enterprises. The Ministry will build on the foundational pillars of data harmonization such as data cataloging, machine readability, interoperability, sharing protocols, and privacy by design. This will pave the way for removing silos at the government level, improving program targeting, reducing duplication, and AI-driven decision-making. By incorporating alternative sources like mobile phones, scanners, and e-commerce data into the mainstream, the Ministry aims to complement traditional surveys, reduce respondent burden, bridge data gaps, and strengthen evidence-based policy making.

Additionally, the Ministry will ensure capacity building and enhanced opportunities for youth and researchers through an internship scheme for students and research proposals from academic and research institutions. Under the second component, 'Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS)', funding will be provided to the governments of States and Union Territories through a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework (SSS 2.0) to transform the statistical capabilities of States and Union Territories. This vision focuses on building state-level capacity to generate high-quality, granular data at the district and other detailed levels, developing indigenous data processing capabilities, and embedding data use cases in local policy making.

The Ministry will provide technical assistance to scale up the production of district-level estimates and million-plus city-level estimates in the compilation of flagship national surveys (such as PLFS, HCES, ASUSE) as well as state or district-level GDP and state-level IIP. Under the third component, 'Economic Census (EC)', the Ministry will conduct the 8th Economic Census in collaboration with States and Union Territories. This census will provide detailed information and activity details of all non-agricultural establishments and workers engaged in them down to the Gram Panchayat and ward level.

This Economic Census will provide an assessment of the unorganized sector of the economy and will serve as foundational work for developing the National Statistical Business Register (SBR) to facilitate targeted enterprise surveys and strategic interventions. The data from the Economic Census will prove extremely useful for planners and policy makers at the national and sub-national levels, which will pave the way for estimating the contribution of the unorganized sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).