On 4 November 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR). The scheme has been approved as a Central Sector Scheme with a total financial outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore for the five-year period from Financial Year 2026–27 to 2030–31. It aims to modernise India’s official statistical system and strengthen the country’s capacity to collect, process, analyse and disseminate reliable data. Prime Minister of India+1
The primary objective of the VISTAR Scheme is to establish a dynamic, real-time and future-ready statistical architecture in India. It is aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims to transform India into a developed nation.
The scheme focuses on improving the timeliness, accuracy and geographical coverage of official statistics. It also seeks to develop harmonised, interoperable and artificial intelligence-ready datasets that can support evidence-based policymaking at the national, state and local levels. Prime Minister of India+1
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will implement the VISTAR Scheme. It will bring the ministry’s statistical and data management activities under a comprehensive framework.
The initiative will strengthen the country’s statistical infrastructure by integrating traditional survey methods with modern digital technologies. It will also improve coordination between the Central Government, State Governments and Union Territory administrations to ensure that statistical information is more consistent and accessible. Prime Minister of India+1
The scheme has three major components designed to strengthen statistical operations, improve state-level statistical capabilities and expand economic data collection.
Component 1: Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem
This component focuses on improving national statistical operations and modernising the overall statistical ecosystem. MoSPI proposes to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys conducted previously.
The major initiatives include end-to-end digitalisation of statistical processes, integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), improvement in data validation and the development of new statistical indicators. The component will also encourage the use of alternative data sources, including mobile phone records, scanner data and e-commerce information, to complement traditional surveys. Prime Minister of India+1
Component 2: Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS 2.0)
The second component aims to improve the statistical capabilities of State and Union Territory Governments. Under the redesigned Support for Statistical Strengthening framework, known as SSS 2.0, financial assistance will be linked to measurable deliverables.
It will support the generation of high-quality and detailed statistical information at district and other disaggregated levels. The initiative will also strengthen indigenous data-processing capabilities and improve the preparation of State and District Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates.
MoSPI will provide technical support to improve district-level and million-plus city-level estimates under important national surveys, including the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) and Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE). Prime Minister of India+1
Component 3: Economic Census
The third component provides for conducting the 8th Economic Census in collaboration with State and Union Territory Governments.
The Economic Census will collect detailed information about non-farm establishments and the workers employed in them. Its geographical coverage will extend up to Gram Panchayat and Ward levels.
The information collected will help assess the size and structure of India’s unorganised sector. It will also provide a baseline for developing the National Statistical Business Register (SBR), which can support targeted enterprise surveys and more effective policy interventions. Prime Minister of India+1
One of the significant features of the VISTAR Scheme is the proposed expansion of national statistical surveys from 43 major surveys to 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
The expanded survey programme is expected to address important data gaps across different sectors of the economy. More comprehensive information will help policymakers understand employment patterns, household consumption, business activities and other economic developments.
The availability of more detailed and timely information will also support the preparation of development programmes based on actual economic and social conditions. Prime Minister of India+1
The VISTAR Scheme gives significant importance to technological modernisation. It aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into regular statistical workflows, particularly for data processing, validation and analysis.
The scheme will promote end-to-end digitalisation, covering data collection, processing and dissemination. It will also encourage the use of alternative sources such as mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data.
These technologies can complement conventional surveys, reduce the burden on respondents and help fill information gaps. Data harmonisation, machine readability, interoperability and privacy-by-design principles will also be promoted to strengthen national data governance. Prime Minister of India+1
The initiative proposes the development of new indicators to improve the measurement of economic activities in sectors that require more detailed statistical coverage.
Two important proposed indicators are:
These indicators are expected to improve the understanding of economic developments beyond conventional industrial production measurements. They will also help policymakers obtain more comprehensive information about the services sector and unincorporated businesses. Prime Minister of India+1
The VISTAR Scheme recognises that reliable economic planning requires accurate information not only at the national level but also at the state, district and city levels.
Through SSS 2.0, the government will support State and Union Territory statistical systems in preparing more detailed economic estimates. Special attention will be given to State and District GDP calculations and State-level Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Improved district-level statistics can help governments identify regional development gaps, assess local employment conditions and formulate policies according to specific geographical requirements. Prime Minister of India+1
The 8th Economic Census is a major activity under the VISTAR Scheme. It will cover non-farm establishments and workers employed in these establishments, with information collected down to the Gram Panchayat and Ward levels.
The census will provide detailed information about the geographical distribution and economic activities of establishments. It will also contribute to the development of the National Statistical Business Register.
Such information is particularly important for understanding India’s unorganised sector, which includes numerous small and unincorporated economic activities. Better statistical coverage will help improve the estimation of this sector’s contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product. Prime Minister of India+1
The VISTAR Scheme also aims to encourage research and academic participation in the development of India’s statistical ecosystem.
MoSPI will provide opportunities through an internship scheme for students and invite research proposals from academic and research institutions. These initiatives are expected to promote statistical research, methodological innovation and the development of skilled human resources.
By connecting academic institutions with official statistical activities, the scheme can encourage young researchers to contribute to data analysis, survey methodology and evidence-based public policy. Prime Minister of India
Reliable statistics are essential for measuring economic growth, employment, poverty, consumption, industrial development and the effectiveness of government programmes.
The VISTAR Scheme aims to strengthen this foundation by improving data availability, quality, accessibility and technological capabilities. Its focus on national surveys, state-level statistical infrastructure and economic census activities will support more informed decision-making.
By modernising India’s statistical ecosystem, the scheme seeks to provide policymakers with better information for planning, monitoring and evaluating development initiatives under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Prime Minister of India+1
The VISTAR Scheme is an important current affairs topic for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence and other government examinations. Questions may cover its full form, implementing ministry, financial allocation, implementation period and three major components.
The scheme aims to improve India’s official statistical infrastructure through digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These developments are important for understanding the role of technology in public administration and governance.
Reliable and timely statistical information helps governments formulate policies based on evidence rather than assumptions. The expansion of national surveys and the development of new economic indicators will improve the availability of information for economic planning.
Through SSS 2.0, the scheme will improve statistical capabilities at the state, district and city levels. This is particularly important for identifying regional inequalities and designing development programmes according to local requirements.
The 8th Economic Census will provide detailed information about non-farm establishments and their workers. This will help policymakers understand the structure of the unorganised sector and estimate its contribution to India’s GDP.
The scheme supports the long-term national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by strengthening data-driven governance, statistical research and institutional capabilities. Its emphasis on accurate information can improve the planning and evaluation of development programmes. Prime Minister of India+1
India has progressively developed its statistical institutions to collect information about population, agriculture, employment, industrial production and economic activities. Official statistics have played an important role in national planning, economic policymaking and monitoring development programmes.
Over time, the need for more reliable, timely and detailed information has increased as the Indian economy has become more diversified and technologically advanced.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) plays a central role in coordinating official statistical activities in India. It is responsible for important national statistical operations, including economic and social surveys and the compilation of major economic indicators.
The ministry’s work provides essential information for government departments, researchers, policymakers and other users of official statistics.
Before VISTAR, the Capacity Development Scheme served as an umbrella framework for supporting the statistical activities of MoSPI. It included the Support for Statistical Strengthening programme and the Economic Census.
In February 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Capacity Development Scheme until 31 March 2026, with an allocation of ₹3,179 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle. VISTAR represents the next major framework for statistical modernisation during the 16th Finance Commission cycle. Business Standard
The Economic Census is an important exercise for understanding the structure and distribution of economic establishments across the country. It provides information about non-farm establishments and their economic activities.
The proposed 8th Economic Census under VISTAR will extend detailed statistical coverage to Gram Panchayat and Ward levels. It will also support the development of the National Statistical Business Register and improve the understanding of the unorganised sector. Prime Minister of India+1
With the expansion of digital technologies, traditional methods of statistical data collection are increasingly being complemented by advanced data-processing and analytical tools.
The VISTAR Scheme builds on this transition by promoting AI-based analysis, machine-readable datasets, interoperability and alternative data sources. It reflects the growing importance of technology and reliable information in modern governance. Prime Minister of India+1
Answer: VISTAR stands for Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research. It is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at modernising India’s official statistical system.
Answer: The Union Cabinet approved the VISTAR Scheme on 4 November 2026.
Answer: The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore for five years.
Answer: The scheme will be implemented from Financial Year 2026–27 to Financial Year 2030–31.
Answer: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is responsible for implementing the scheme.
Answer: The three major components are:
Answer: MoSPI proposes to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys conducted previously.
Answer: The 8th Economic Census will be conducted in collaboration with State and Union Territory Governments.
Answer: Its primary objective is to collect detailed information about non-farm establishments and their workers across India, extending coverage up to Gram Panchayat and Ward levels.
Answer: Support for Statistical Strengthening 2.0 is a redesigned framework that provides financial and technical assistance to State and Union Territory Governments to improve their statistical capabilities. Financial support will be linked to measurable deliverables.
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