National Sample Survey

The National Sample Survey is one of the oldest sample surveys in India and is conducted regularly over consecutive periods. Led by the National Sample Survey Organisation, an Indian data collection agency, since 1972, it has been a part of the Ministry of Statistics (MOS) and Program Implementation of the Government of India (GOI). 

The survey plays a vital role in India’s economic development. Post-independence, the country faced several issues in agriculture, transportation, food, health, education, etc. These surveys are conducted at the local and state level to get an idea of people’s lifestyles, product consumption, financial status, etc.

The first national sample survey was conducted around 1950–1951 and documented land utilisation, daily wages of skilled and unskilled labourers, etc. At the household level, data were collected on land or property ownership, cultivation, weekly and monthly consumption of products, etc.

The main objective of the national survey is to prepare statistical data and statistical techniques, which can be used to analyse and interpret data and to provide information on economic factors and several demographic factors. 

History of the National Sample Survey

• During the first round, 1800 out of the 5,50,000 villages were documented. The survey has been conducted about sixty times at present. 
• Over time, the survey frequency and data collection tools were increased, and the sample expanded to include 14,000 rural and urban areas. The survey rounds were then divided into two parts to gather information more efficiently, and were conducted every five years.
•  The survey has estimated eighty national regions; each covered distinctively from the last round. Information on employment, daily consumption of products, disability, diseases, schooling, and other items are collected. 
• Through mass media channels and print media, the survey results were broadcasted post-1998. 

Division of The National Sample Survey

The national sample survey has four divisions or departments:

• Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD): Located in Kolkata, it looks after the technical leg of planning the surveys.
• Field Operations Division (FOD): Located in Delhi (Faridabad), this division has a network of six zonal offices. It is responsible for collecting primary data. 
• Data Processing Division (DPD): Based in Kolkata, it houses five other data processing centres and collects software development samples, prices, wages in rural areas, etc.
• Survey Coordination Division: Based in New Delhi, it coordinates the activities performed by the other departments 

How is The Survey Conducted?

• The agency decides the survey frequency, and a designated team surveys each state, finally submitting the report to the Government of India. 
• The team contacts the respective state government, and a supervisor is assigned to each state who looks over the smooth functioning of the survey and reports back to the higher authorities.
• State governments create their teams to conduct statewide surveys and may also employ volunteers to act on behalf of the state. 
• These volunteers submit their reports to the higher officials, who send them for approval to their seniors. 
• Once the state officials approve the reports, they are sent to the National Sample Survey Agency. 

What is Asked in The Survey?

• In the survey, the agency starts with basic questions like the number of family members, distribution of sex/gender in the household, financial income, etc. 
• They also ask about the products consumed in the house, for example, the type of oil used for cooking, amount of pulses consumed in a month, availability of electronic gadgets, etc.

Advantages of National Sample Survey

• By sample survey results can be produced more quickly.
• National sample survey reduces time to collect and process data to produce results.
• Sample survey reduces cost, both in terms of finances and manpower requirement and management.
• Few people are required to provide the required data.
• Sample survey enables the characteristics to be tested, which cannot be otherwise done.

Limitations of National Sample Survey

• Data received from any particular ethnic group is not reliable as it varies due to personal views of that particular community.
• Data for small geographical places are not useful as they are unreliable.
• Detailed analysis of relationships between multiple variables may not be as practical as expected.
• Estimated data may contain sampling errors as the data is obtained and processed from a part of the population.
• May find gaps between data derived from survey and the real data, which creates difficulty in application of the data of the survey.

Conclusion

The National Sample Survey is essential for any country as it informs us about the nation’s growth across different sectors while highlighting the demographics that need distinctive resources. The National Sample Survey Organisation was established in 1950 so that they can conduct the surveys on a large scale throughout India . The employees of the NSSO are from the Indian Statistical Service department ( they are approved from UPSC ). NSS is one of the oldest surveys in the developing world. NSS has four divisions or departments in India out of which two are in Kolkata and two are in Delhi.