Formerly known as the National Sample Survey Organisation, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) stands as India’s largest organization conducting regular socio-economic surveys. This subject is relevant to the Indian Economy section of the IAS Exam, and candidates should anticipate questions on this topic for UPSC prelims, mains, or even in the Economics optional paper.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) is a key agency under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) in India, established in 1950. NSSO is responsible for conducting large-scale sample surveys across the country, covering a wide range of socio-economic aspects. These surveys provide valuable insights into various demographic, economic, and social indicators, serving as vital inputs for policy formulation, planning, and decision-making by the government, researchers, and policymakers.
Established in 1950, the NSSO was tasked with conducting extensive sample surveys across India. Its workforce comprises members from the Indian Statistical Service (recruited through the UPSC) and the Subordinate Statistical Service (appointed through the Staff Selection Commission).
Divisions of the NSSO | ||
Division | Responsibilities | Headquarters |
Survey Design and Research Division | Technical planning of surveys, Formulation of Concepts and Definitions, Sampling Design, Designing of Inquiry Schedules, Drawing up of Tabulation Plan, Analysis and Presentation of Survey Results. | Kolkata |
Field Operations Division | Collection of primary data for the surveys undertaken by NSSO | Delhi/ Faridabad |
Data Processing Division | Sample Selection, Software Development, Processing, Validation And Tabulation of the data collected through surveys. | Kolkata |
Co-ordination & Publication Division | Coordinates all the various departments and divisions in the NSSO Also publishes its annual journal. | Delhi |
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) in India is the principal agency responsible for coordinating statistical activities in the country. It functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) and is tasked with evolving and maintaining statistical standards, conducting various statistical surveys, and compiling data related to national accounts, industrial production, consumer price indices, and other economic and social indicators. The CSO plays a crucial role in providing reliable and timely statistical information for policy formulation, planning, and decision-making at both the central and state levels in India.
Formerly known as the Central Statistics Organisation of India, CSO is in charge of coordinating statistical activities in India and developing and upholding statistical standards. The CSO is led by the Director-General, supported by five additional Director-Generals, four Deputy Director-Generals, six Joint Directors, seven special task officers, thirty deputy directors, 48 assistant directors, and other staff. It houses a well-equipped Graphical Unit and is situated in Delhi.
Its functions include:
The merger of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to form the National Statistical Office (NSO) in May 2019 represents a strategic restructuring aimed at enhancing the efficiency and coherence of statistical operations in India. Under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), NSO consolidates resources and eliminates redundancies while covering a wide spectrum of statistical activities, including large-scale sample surveys, national accounts compilation, and industrial production indices. This integration seeks to streamline data collection, analysis, and dissemination processes, ultimately facilitating informed policy formulation and socio-economic planning at both central and state levels.
When the government issued the order to merge NSSO and CSO, it didn’t mention any involvement of the National Statistical Office (NSO). As of February 2021, the NSO’s official website is inactive, and any updates regarding NSO will be provided here. Candidates should critically analyze the merger of NSSO and CSO using the following points:
The National Sample Survey (NSS) which came into existence in the year 1950, is a multi-subject integrated continuing sample survey programme launched for collection of data on the various aspects of the national economy required by different agencies of the Government, both Central and States.
National Sample Survey Office(NSSO) Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. Government Of India.
The National Sample Survey was started at the instance of Prime Minister Nehru with the aim of obtaining comprehensive and continuing information relating to social, economic and demographic conditions on a country-wide basis.
The National Sample Survey Office(NSSO) headed by a Director General is responsible for conduct of large scale sample surveys in diverse fields on All India basis. Primarily data are collected through nation-wide household surveys on various socio-economic subjects, Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), etc.
Field Operations Division (FOD): The Division, with its headquarters at Delhi/Faridabad and a network of six Zonal Offices, 49 Regional Offices and 118 Sub-Regional Offices spread throughout the country, is responsible for the collection of primary data for the surveys undertaken by NSSO.
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