VISTAR will expand surveys and count businesses to improve official statistics
Where it stands
The Cabinet has approved VISTAR, a five-year programme to improve how India collects and uses official statistics. Its full name is Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research. The decision was announced on 4 November 2026. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will run it during 2026–27 to 2030–31. The approved outlay is ₹4,371.10 crore. The programme includes 59 planned surveys and the 8th Economic Census. That census will count non-farm establishments and record information about their activities and workers. It will reach down to gram panchayats and urban wards, helping show where economic activity takes place. States and Union Territories will also receive support to strengthen their statistical systems. The aim is to produce more useful district-level and large-city estimates. This local detail can give policymakers a clearer basis for decisions about employment or household conditions.
Background
Governments need information about jobs, spending, production and businesses to decide where services and investment are needed. Collecting this information involves different methods. A survey studies selected households or enterprises and uses their responses to estimate a wider picture. An economic census builds a fuller list of establishments and their activities. That list can then help officials select businesses for more focused surveys. Small and unorganised enterprises matter because economic activity extends beyond large registered companies. VISTAR brings statistical operations, support for state systems and the Economic Census into one programme. It also proposes digital processing and more consistent ways to organise and share data. Comparable definitions and usable local detail help different government bodies work from information they can interpret together.
How it developed
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4 November 2026How it started
The approved programme links national operations with stronger state systems
VISTAR has three components: statistical operations, support for state statistical systems, and the Economic Census. The 8th Economic Census will help build a Statistical Business Register for future enterprise surveys. The ministry also plans greater use of digital collection and artificial intelligence for processing, checking and analysing data. State support will follow a framework linked to agreed outputs. These measures aim to improve both the detail and timeliness of official statistics.
Why it matters for UPSC
For GS3, explain how surveys and an economic census support economic measurement. For GS2, connect reliable local data with policy design and cooperation between the Centre and states.
Key terms
Sources (3)
- Cabinet / PIB · official · Cabinet approves Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research5 Nov, 12:55 pm
- MoSPI · official · Economic Census5 Nov, 12:55 pm
- Business Standard · Cabinet clears VISTAR scheme to revamp official statistics5 Nov, 12:55 pm