Lok Sabha Question No. 663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Public Access to NSSO
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## PUBLIC ACCESS TO NSSO

## 663.  SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  new  initiatives  that  have  been  introduced  to enhance public access to National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) unit-level survey data for research purposes;
- (b) the  manner in  which the Government is ensuring data security and privacy while facilitating public access to microdata;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  introduced  a  capacity-building programme  for  state  statistical  personnel  in  advanced  data analytics and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of steps being taken by the Government to improve the  response  rate  and  data  quality  of  the  Annual  Survey  of Industries (ASI)?

## 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): Unit-level data of surveys conducted by National Sample Survey (NSS), MoSPI along with metadata are disseminated through MoSPI's website which is freely accessible. While disseminating unit level data from the surveys, detailed guidelines are provided on how to use the unit level data for generation of indicators by the users. However, to make the data download easier while disseminating unit level data a data  extraction  tool  is  provided  which  is  helpful  to  convert  the  unit level data in usable format facilitating users for easier data handling, analysis,  and  accessibility  to  researchers  and  analysts  by  offering data in a more flexible and widely used format. Data Users Conferences are organized after release of survey reports to enhance the  understanding  of  the  survey  data  and  address  any  concerns

related to data access and methodology for the stakeholders.

- (b): To safeguard confidentiality and privacy while facilitating access, strict protocols are being followed including anonymization of microdata or unit-level data to avoid disclosure risks. In NSS surveys, the Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) software employed  for  data  collection  ensures  that  all  data  transmission occurs  in  encrypted  mode,  thereby  protecting  sensitive  information during field operations in a secure cloud-based digital platform.
- (c): MoSPI  conducts  comprehensive  training  programs  for  State statistical  personnel  related  to  NSS  surveys  for  the  State  sample which cover survey conduct, use of CAPI software, and management of cloud-based digital platform that align with central data collection protocols. Post-survey tabulation workshops are also held to enhance competency of  the  State  officials  and  necessary  technical  supports are  being  provided  to  participating  States  as  and  when  required.  In addition  to  this,  MoSPI  is  providing  financial  assistance  to  improve/ strengthen the statistical capacity and operations of State statistical systems  for  collecting,  compiling  and  disseminating  reliable  official statistics  through  'Support  for  Statistical  Strengthening  (SSS)'  sub -scheme  under  CD  Scheme.  A  total  amount  of  Rs.  364.69  crore  has been released to States/UTs since 2010 to till 27 th  November 2025 [Rs. 42.01 crore during EFC 2021-26 (till 27-11-2025)] including a component 'capacity building' out of the total 9 components.

(d): In  order  to  ensure  data  quality  in  Annual  Survey  of  Industries (ASI), the data is collected through user friendly ASI web portal rather than paper  schedules  which  has  built in validation checks  for controlling  data  errors  during  data  compilation  stage  along  with macro and micro level data checks at the time of data processing in ASI.  Round  Table  Conferences  on  ASI  are  organized  by  MoSPI regularly for representatives from various business/ industry associations with an aim to sensitize them about the importance of this  survey  and  to  improve  their  cooperation,  thereby  improving  the response  rate.  In  order  to  ensure  data  quality,  multilayer  validation checks are carried out.  ASI Camps are organized to sensitize the ASI units for self-compilation of ASI schedule. In addition to this, scrutiny, inspection and  regular training is being carried out for further improvement of data quality.

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