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The Government of India established the National Sample Survey Organisation to conduct surveys on socio-economic issues. Sarvekshana is a journal that is released quarterly. This journal publishes the data collected by the National Sample Survey Organisation. The collection of these data is crucial for developing an efficient plan model of development.
This organisation was first set up in 1950 by the finance ministry as the National Sample Survey Directorate. This was later transferred to the cabinet secretariat in 1957. Further, it became a part of the NSSO (department of statistics under the ministry of planning). It has been under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MOSPI) since 1999.
Objective, Functions & Divisions of the National Sample Survey Organisation of India
As explained earlier, the NSSO is now under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MOSPI). Surveys on various socio-economic issues are planned and conducted by the Director-General of the NSSO. Some of the socio-economic issues are mentioned down below-
Literacy
School enrolment
Employment
Unemployment
Morbidity
The utilisation of the educational services being provided
Childcare
Maternity
Manufacturing sector
The utilisation of public distribution system
Service sector etc.
Objectives of the National Sample Survey Organisation
Following are the objectives of the NSSO-
Make the socio-economic survey analysis readily available for the researchers studying certain population matters.
Various statistical tools and techniques can be planned after studying these data. This is very important to resolve any administrative problem. Moreover, these data published by the National Sample Survey Organisation can be used to draw estimates of future trends.
Individuals engaged in economic activities can collect public information from the surveys of the NSSO.
The statistical information can be used for state or national planning and policy requirements.
Functions of the National Sample Survey Organisation
The functions of the National Sample Survey Organisation are mentioned as follows-
The Governing Council is an independent institution. This council directs and governs the functions of the NSSO. The collection, processing, and publication of the National Sample Survey Organisation data are under complete autonomy of the Governing Council.
It conducts regular annual surveys on industries. It is called the Annual Survey of Industries (AIS).
NSSO is engaged in conducting surveys on various socio-economic issues like morbidity, maternity, employment, childcare, etc.
The NSSO decides the topic of a particular round of the survey.
The National Sample Survey Organisation also prepares reports on agricultural production. The timely estimation of crop yield helps in preparing these reports.
It is also engaged in compiling the crop estimates of the states for a nationwide analysis.
The National Sample Survey Organisation helps the states get reliable crop yield estimates. This is done by developing survey techniques depending upon the requirement of the states.
Division of the National Sample Survey Organisation
The four divisions of the NSSO are as follows-
The Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD)
Headquarter – Kolkata
Functions – Presentation of results, formulating concepts, tabulating plans, sampling designs, etc.
The Field Operations Division (FOD)
Headquarters – Delhi/Faridabad
Function – Primary data collection.
The Data Processing Division (DPD)
Headquarter – Kolkata
Functions – Processing and validating the data, developing software, tabulating data, etc.
The Coordination and Publication Division (CPD)
Headquarter – Delhi
Functions – Coordination of all the divisions and publishing journals annually.
All these divisions have their headquarters spread around the country. Each of these divisions has its specific functions in which they are engaged.
Central Statistics Office (CSO)
The Central Statistics Office coordinates the statistical activities of the country. The headquarter of the CSO is in Delhi. The office maintains and evolves the statistical standards. It is involved in the following –
Developing Statistics in states and union territories.
Gender statistics
Human development statistics
Annual Survey of Industries
Index of Industrial Production
Training in Official Statistics
National Account Statistics
Broadcasting energy, construction, and environment statistics
Broadcasting statistics on trade revision of National Industrial Classification
The National Statistical Office- A merger of NSSO with CSO
The Indian Government, on 23rd May 2019, merged the National Sample Survey Organisation with the Central Statistics Office and formed the National Statistical Office. The regulation of the National Statistical Office is made by the Ministry of Statistics Program Implementation (MOSPI).
The National Statistical Office is a statistical wing. Secretary Statistics and Program Implementation lead it. The Director Generals (DGs) help the various divisions of the NSO to report to the secretary. NSO has some essential functions, they are-
It distributes publications to government and semi-government agencies on statistical information.
NSO integrates the statistical work of State Statistical Bureaus (SSBs).
Data is distributed to the agencies of the United Nations by the NSO.
The NSO formulates the development of the statistical system in the country.
It maintains norms and standards in the field of statistics acting as a nodal agency.
The Government of India receives guidelines on the statistical analysis of data and methodology from the NSO.
Conclusion
The National Sample Survey Organisation is necessary to properly plan several government policies. It is essential to get information from the ground and prepare data accordingly. This helps in formulating statistical tools for the betterment of the country. The National Sample Survey Organisations carry out mass-scale surveys every year, procuring information on various social and economic issues.
