The National Statistics Office (NSO), under Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), today celebrated the 20th Statistics Day at Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata, commemorating the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The programme, organised on the theme “Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data,” highlighted the growing role of administrative data in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and governance. The programme commenced with floral tributes to Professor P. C. Mahalanobis, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Shri Sanjib Basu, Deputy Director General, Enterprise Survey Division, NSO, delivered the welcome address.
The inaugural session was addressed by the Chief Guest, Shri K. Manao Singh, Director General, Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), who underlined the importance of integrating administrative data with traditional survey-based statistics to generate timely, reliable and policy-relevant official statistics. He observed that while surveys remain the foundation of India’s statistical system, administrative data has become an increasingly valuable complementary source for informed decision-making. Dr. M. Shashi Kumar, Director, Anthropological Survey of India, highlighted the need for greater institutional collaboration and effective integration of diverse data sources to strengthen evidence-based governance. The technical sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with administrative data.
Shri Arko Mandal, Deputy Director, Household Survey Division, discussed its role in improving statistical efficiency while highlighting issues relating to data quality, interoperability, standardisation and privacy. Smt. Shreya Sengupta, Director, Enterprise Survey Division, explained how administrative records are being leveraged to strengthen major National Statistics Office surveys, including the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) and the Annual Survey of Service Sector Enterprises (ASISSE).
Delivering the special lecture, Padma Shri Dr. Bimal Roy, former Director of the Indian Statistical Institute, highlighted Professor P.C. Mahalanobis’s pioneering contribution to combining administrative records with field surveys for development planning. “Administrative data is invaluable, but it must always be validated through scientific statistical methods and field investigations. Good policy rests on credible data, not merely on reported numbers,” he said. Drawing on historical examples such as the Hirakud Dam, the Damodar Valley Project and flood management initiatives, he illustrated how statistical validation helped shape informed public policy. He also cautioned against excessive reliance on unverified administrative reporting, noting that data quality remains central to the credibility of official statistics.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Smt. Sutapa Ghosh, Joint Director, Enterprise Survey Division, who thanked the dignitaries, speakers, participants and the Anthropological Survey of India for their support in organising the event. The celebration reaffirmed NSO’s commitment to leveraging the potential of administrative data while upholding the principles of quality, transparency, reliability and scientific rigour in the country’s official statistical system.
