Cabinet Approves ₹4,371 Crore VISTAR Scheme to Modernize India's Statistical System

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹4,371.10 crore scheme to modernize India's official statistical system, improve data collection and introduce advanced technology into government surveys. The initiative, called the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics and Research (VISTAR), will run for five years, from the financial year 2026–27 to 2030–31.

Approved on November 4, 2026, the scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It aims to make official data more detailed, reliable and timely, helping policymakers understand economic and social conditions across the country.

India Plans 59 Surveys Under VISTAR Scheme

One of the major features of the initiative is the expansion of India's national survey program. MoSPI plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys conducted previously. The expanded survey program is expected to address gaps in areas such as employment, household spending and business activity.

The ministry will also introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into regular statistical operations. These technologies will be used to process, verify and analyze collected information. Additionally, the government plans to use alternative data sources, including mobile phone, retail scanner and e-commerce data, alongside traditional surveys. The aim is to improve data coverage and reduce the burden on people and businesses participating in surveys.

Three Major Components of the VISTAR Scheme

The initiative has three key components:

1. Statistical Operations and Digital Transformation

This component focuses on expanding surveys, improving data collection and introducing new economic indicators. These include the proposed Headline Index of Services Production and the Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, which will help track activity in the services and unincorporated business sectors.

2. Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS 2.0)

The second component will provide financial and technical support to state and Union Territory governments to strengthen their statistical systems. MoSPI will support the development of district-level and large-city estimates through surveys such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) and Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE). The initiative also aims to improve the preparation of state and district-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates. This could help authorities understand economic differences between regions more clearly.

3. Eighth Economic Census

The third component will cover the Eighth Economic Census, which will be conducted in collaboration with state and Union Territory governments. It will collect information about non-farm businesses, their economic activities and the workers they employ. The data will extend down to Gram Panchayat and municipal ward levels.

The census will also provide a foundation for a National Statistical Business Register, a database of business establishments that can support future surveys and government planning. It is expected to help improve estimates of the unorganized sector's contribution to India's GDP.

VISTAR Scheme to Offer Opportunities for Students and Researchers

The scheme also includes opportunities for students and academic institutions. According to the government announcement, MoSPI will support student internships and research proposals from academic and research institutions.

This could create opportunities for students and researchers working in statistics, economics, mathematics and data-related fields. However, detailed eligibility conditions, application dates and stipend information have not yet been specified in the announcement.

VISTAR aims to improve the availability of government data, its implementation will require careful attention to accuracy, privacy and security. The proposed use of mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data raises questions about how personal and commercial information will be handled. The government has referred to privacy safeguards as part of its data-management approach, but their implementation will be important.

The scheme's impact will ultimately depend on whether expanded surveys produce reliable information, states develop the capacity to collect detailed data, and the government publishes findings in a timely and accessible manner. With a ₹4,371.10 crore allocation, VISTAR represents a major planned expansion of India's statistical infrastructure. Its success will be measured not simply by the number of surveys conducted, but by how effectively the resulting information improves public planning and economic decision-making.