India is preparing to revamp parts of its official statistical system, conduct at least 14 surveys under the National Sample Survey Office this year, and make better use of its administrative and digital data. But, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) budget for 2026-27 is 22 percent below its estimated expenses, and will not be enough to meet the physical targets of its programmes, the Ministry told a Parliamentary standing committee in a report published in March 2026. On the other hand, it had surrendered Rs 6,088 crore ($711 million) over the last three financial years.
For 2026-27, MoSPI estimated expenses of Rs 5,826 crore ($625 million), but allocations in the Union budget amounted to Rs 4,522 crore ($485 million) for schemes, a shortfall of about 22 percent. Of the amount allocated, 87 percent is for the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD), under which each MP is provided Rs 5 crore each year to support local developmental activities.
