National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 launched as India’s first fully digitised fisheries survey under PMMSY. Conducted by CMFRI using VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra apps, this 45-day census aims to register 1.2 million fisher households on the NFDP for smart governance and welfare delivery.
First Fully Digitised National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Launched
Introduction to the Census Initiative
On 3 November 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 (MFC 2025) was formally launched at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi by George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. This edition of the census marks a significant leap: it is India’s first fully digital enumeration of marine fishing households, leveraging mobile apps and real-time monitoring for the coastal fishing sector.
The campaign is scheduled to run over a 45-day period, covering the wide-spanning marine-fisheries communities in nine coastal states and four Union Territories. Around 1.2 million fisher-households in approximately 4,000 marine fishing villages will be covered during this exercise.
A Nationwide Digital Census Initiative
The enumeration will take place from 3 November to 18 December 2025, led by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the umbrella of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The aim is to capture accurate, up-to-date data on coastal fishing households and fishing villages in order to drive policy, welfare, resource management and scheme delivery for the marine fisheries sector. Thousands of trained field staff will be deployed for this enumeration at the grassroots level.
Technological Revolution in Fisheries Governance
For the first time, the census is going fully digital. Two mobile applications—VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra—developed by CMFRI, will facilitate data collection. These apps support geo-referencing of fishing villages, instant verification of data, and real-time monitoring of the enumeration process. The minister emphasised that registering all fishermen and fish-workers on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) is now mandatory for them to access scheme benefits such as under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah‑Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
Smart Census, Smarter Fisheries
The nodal agency for the exercise is CMFRI, while the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) will act as the operational partner. The “Smart Census for Smarter Fisheries” message underlines how digital enumeration will enhance oversight, transparency and effectiveness of policy interventions in the marine fisheries domain. By adopting digital tools, the government seeks to improve data-driven decision-making, streamline welfare scheme delivery, and strengthen monitoring of fishing-community welfare.
Implementation and Expected Outcomes
The census will visit over 4,000 villages and engage with over a million households, a massive operational exercise requiring coordination across national, state and local agencies. By capturing detailed data like household composition, fishing practices, fish-worker demographics and village infrastructure, the census aims to lay the foundation for future policy, funding allocations, conservation efforts and resource management. The integration with NFDP means that registered households can automatically qualify for benefits such as insurance, subsidy and modernisation programmes.
Why This News Is Important
Strengthens Policy and Welfare for Marine-Fishers
For aspirants preparing for government exams—whether in teaching, police, banking, railways, defence or civil services like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)—understanding large-scale national initiatives like the MFC 2025 is vital. This move demonstrates how the government transforms data-collection into digital action, affecting policies for a critical segment of India’s workforce: marine-fishers. Realising that over 1.2 million households are to be surveyed shows the scale of commitment.
Boosts Digital Governance & Marine Sector Management
This initiative exemplifies the broader push for “Digital India” and smart governance. It showcases how mobile-apps, geo-referencing and real-time data are no longer confined to tech sectors but are integral to sectors like fisheries. Exam candidates should note this convergence of technology and governance as a trend.
Relevance Across Sectors & Competitive Exams
Whether you’re studying for a teacher role needing knowledge of national programmes, or a banking/railways exam where awareness of government schemes is a plus, this Census is a relevant topic. For UPSC/PCS exams especially, it touches on scheme implementation, sectoral policy, data-driven governance and welfare of marginalised workers. Knowing the details (who, what, when, why) gives you an edge.
Reflects Environmental & Resource Management Focus
Marine fisheries interface with resource management, sustainability and livelihood security. The census not only supports welfare but helps in conservation, sustainable fishing practices and infrastructure planning. Such aspects often appear in “Environment & Ecology” and “Governance” sections of exams.
Historical Context
Evolution of Marine-Fisheries Census in India
Censuses in the fisheries sector have been conducted previously in India. However, they were not fully digital and often limited in scope or marred by time-lags. The switch from paper-based enumeration to fully digital platforms in MFC 2025 is a watershed moment for India’s marine-fisheries policy.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Framework
Launched earlier, PMMSY aims at transformation of the fisheries sector through modernisation, infrastructure and welfare of fisherfolk. The MFC 2025 being conducted under this umbrella signals that data-foundation for the scheme is being strengthened.
Digital Governance & NFDP Integration
The earlier years of India’s digital push involved linking beneficiaries and schemes (for example, via Aadhaar, direct benefit transfers, etc.). The NFDP (National Fisheries Digital Platform) now becomes a fisheries-specific digital welfare and monitoring architecture. The introduction of apps like VyAS Bharat/VyAS Sutra showcases how domain-specific digital infrastructure is coming up.
Significance of Coastal Fisheries Sector
India’s marine-fisheries form an essential part of food security, export earnings, livelihood of coastal communities and ecological balance. Accurate data about households, villages, and practices is essential for sustainable management, welfare, scheme design and marine-ecosystem protection.
Key Takeaways from “First Fully Digitised National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Launched”
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | The MFC 2025 is India’s first fully digitised marine-fisheries census, marking a shift from paper to digital enumeration. |
| 2. | The census will be conducted between 3 Nov – 18 Dec 2025, covering over 1.2 million fish-households across more than 4,000 fishing villages in nine coastal states and four UTs. |
| 3. | Two mobile applications—VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra—developed by CMFRI, will be used for real-time data capture, geo-referencing and verification. |
| 4. | Registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) is now mandatory for fishers/fish-workers to access benefits under schemes such as the PM-MKSSY. |
| 5. | The initiative is being coordinated by the Department of Fisheries under the PMMSY, with CMFRI as nodal agency and Fishery Survey of India as operational partner—pointing to better governance and data-driven policy in the marine-fisheries sector. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025
1. What is the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025?
The National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 (MFC 2025) is India’s first fully digitized fisheries census aimed at collecting real-time data on marine fishing households, villages, and fish workers across coastal states and union territories.
2. Who launched the Marine Fisheries Census 2025?
The census was officially launched by George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi.
3. When will the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 be conducted?
The census will be carried out from 3 November 2025 to 18 December 2025, covering around 1.2 million fisher households in approximately 4,000 marine fishing villages.
4. Which digital tools are being used for the Census?
Two mobile applications—VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra—developed by CMFRI, are being used for digital data collection, geo-referencing, and real-time monitoring.
5. What is the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP)?
The NFDP is a unified digital database that records information about all registered fishers and fish workers in India. It ensures that beneficiaries are linked to government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
6. Why is this Census important for government exam aspirants?
It is important for exams like UPSC, SSC, PSC, and Banking because it connects to topics on Digital Governance, Welfare Schemes, Rural Development, and Sustainable Resource Management.
7. Which organization is the nodal agency for MFC 2025?
The ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is the nodal agency, and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) serves as the operational partner.
8. Under which central scheme is the Census being conducted?
The MFC 2025 is conducted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which aims to modernize and promote sustainable fisheries in India.
9. How does digitization improve fisheries data management?
Digitization allows real-time data capture, prevents duplication, enhances policy planning, and ensures faster delivery of welfare schemes through accurate tracking.
10. What is the slogan of this Census initiative?
The census operates under the slogan “Smart Census for Smarter Fisheries.”
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