Lok Sabha Question No. 4276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: National Sample Survey
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Dr. Hemang Joshi, Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky, Shri Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4276 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY

4276. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY: SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

DR. HEMANG JOSHI:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of specific technological initiatives have been introduced  recently  to  modernize  the  National  Sample  Survey (NSS) processes;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  adoption  of  digital  platforms  impacted the  time  lag  between  data  collection  and  the  final  release  of survey results in the country, particularly in Dewas and Shajapur Lok Sabha Constituency in Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government has established a formal mechanism to provide  data  users  with  a  predictable  schedule  for  upcoming reports and publications and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the timeline by which the Government expect to fully implement AI-enabled  tools  to  assist  the  public  in  interacting  with  official statistical  datasets  in  the  country  particularly  in  Dewas  and Shajapur Lok Sabha Constituency in Madhya Pradesh?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has  undertaken  several  technological  initiatives  in  recent  years  to modernise the National Sample Survey (NSS). Primary data collection in NSS  surveys  is  carried  out  through  digital  platforms  using  Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and web-based applications with in-

built validation mechanisms to ensure data consistency at the stage of collection. These systems facilitate real-time submission and validation of survey data and have helped reduce the time required for processing and  dissemination  of  survey  results.  The  digital  platforms  provide bilingual (Hindi/English) interfaces for ease of data collection. In some surveys such as CAPEX, ASI and ASUSE, chatbot-based features have also been introduced in the CAPI/web portal to assist respondents and field officials in resolving queries during data collection. The collected data are further examined by supervisory officers at different levels and the survey process is monitored through digital systems. (b): Under  the  earlier  paper-based  data  collection  system,  filled-in schedules had to be physically transported and subsequently digitised before  processing,  which  added  to  the  overall  processing  time.  The adoption  of  digital  data  collection  platforms  enables  near  real-time submission  and  validation  of  survey  data,  thereby  streamlining  data processing and analysis. As a result, the time lag in release of Annual Reports  of  NSS  surveys  has  been  reduced  from  around  eight  months earlier to about three months after completion of fieldwork. In addition to  this,  the  monthly  and  quarterly  reports  of  NSS  surveys,  wherever applicable, are released within 15 days and 40 days, respectively, from the end of the corresponding survey period. These improvements apply uniformly across all surveyed areas of States/Union Territories, including Madhya Pradesh. (c): MoSPI  publishes  an  Advance  Release  Calendar  (ARC)  on  its official  website  indicating  the  tentative  schedule  for  release  of major statistical reports and publications, including those based on surveys  conducted  under  the  National  Sample  Survey.  The  ARC provides advance information to users regarding the likely dates of release of various reports. (d): MoSPI  is  leveraging  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  to  enhance accessibility,  searchability,  and  usability  of  reports,  datasets,  and publications  released  by  MoSPI  to  the  stakeholders.  AI  is  being integrated into eSankhyiki portal and AI enabled chatbot has been hosted on MoSPI revamped website to improve data discovery and to improve user interaction. However, no specific timeline has been fixed for full implementation of AI-enabled tools.

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