Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra addressed the 20th Statistics Day function

New Delhi, correspondent.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Participating as the chief guest in the 20th Statistics Day-2026 ceremony held on Monday, Mishra said that the future of India will depend on data-based decision making. He said that to realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Developed India @2047’, governance based on reliable, transparent and scientific data is necessary.

Paying tribute to Professor Prashant Chandra Mahalanobis on his birth anniversary, Dr. Mishra recalled his historic contribution to the development of the Indian statistical system. He appreciated the publication of the Vision Document 2026-31, Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goals and the first city-level estimates on labor markets and informal enterprises released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI). Also congratulated Professor Arup Bose on receiving the Sukhatme National Award.

Working on new base year of GDP, CPI and IIP

Dr Mishra said key macroeconomic indicators including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are being updated with the new base year to more accurately reflect India’s changing economy. This will make policy making and economic analysis more effective.

Administrative data will become national wealth

He said that the rapid digital transformation in the country has created a huge repository of administrative data, which should be developed as a strategic national asset. Use of these data will play an important role in making better plans, ensuring targeted service delivery and taking timely decisions.

Emphasizing on developing a coordinated and mutually compatible data ecosystem between the Central and State Governments, Dr. Mishra said that it should be mandatory to follow the highest standards of privacy, security and confidentiality during data sharing.

Comprehensive reform of statistical system

He informed that since the year 2020, the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation has launched a comprehensive reform campaign. Based on the recommendations of experts, 216 reforms are being accepted and implemented in a time bound manner. Under this, many important initiatives have been taken like new surveys, Computer Based Personal Interview (CAPI), district level estimates, high frequency surveys and early publication of data.

Also, digital platforms like National Metadata Framework 2.0, Open API, e-Statistics, GOIStats, Paimaana and e-Sakshi are being developed, which will strengthen data availability, cross-compatibility and real-time governance.

Responsible governance is necessary in the use of AI

Dr. Mishra said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought new possibilities in statistical analysis and policy making, but strong institutional framework is necessary for its use. He said that AI should be used effectively while maintaining quality, transparency, accountability and independence of data.

Developed India will be based on reliable data

In concluding his address, Dr. P.K. Mishra said that the journey to developed India is possible only on the basis of reliable data. He said that the goal of accurately counting every citizen and leaving no one behind will be achieved only when the statistical system is based on high standards of quality, confidentiality, transparency and independence. He said that the future of good governance lies in evidence-based decision making and India is moving rapidly in this direction.