Union Cabinet approves new VISTAR scheme to overhaul India’s statistical system
The Hindu - Business/Economy · Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated
The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹4,371.10-crore VISTAR scheme for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 to overhaul India's statistical architecture through digital transformation, AI integration, and expanded surveys.
Key points
- The Union Cabinet approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR) scheme on November 4, 2026, with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore.
- The scheme will be implemented over a five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31 to modernise official statistics at both Central and State levels.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle under VISTAR, up from 43 major surveys conducted previously.
- The VISTAR scheme comprises three main components: Comprehensive statistical operations and strengthening of the ecosystem, Support for statistical strengthening, and an Economic Census.
- MoSPI will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into regular workflows for data processing, validation, and analysis.
- The scheme aims to mainstream alternate data sources such as mobile phones, scanners, and e-commerce data to complement traditional surveys and reduce respondent burden.
- The Centre will provide funds to State governments and Union Territories under a redesigned, deliverable-linked Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) framework to build local capacity.
- MoSPI will undertake the 8th Economic Census in collaboration with States and Union Territories to obtain granular activity details of non-farm establishments and workers down to the gram panchayat and ward levels.
- The Economic Census data will serve as the baseline for developing the National Statistical Business Register (SBR) to facilitate targeted enterprise surveys.
- The initiative is aligned with the central objective of Viksit Bharat 2047 to establish a dynamic, real-time, and future-ready official statistical architecture.
Background
- The previous umbrella program for statistical work was the Capacity Development scheme, which funded MoSPI's statistical activities through a main scheme and sub-schemes like SSS and the Economic Census.
- In February 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Capacity Development scheme till March 31, 2026, with an outlay of ₹3,179 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
- Earlier, in 2018, the Cabinet had approved ₹2,250 crore for the Capacity Development scheme for the period spanning 2017-18 to 2019-20.
- Over successive budget cycles, policymakers identified critical data gaps in various sectors, necessitating a transition toward real-time data collection and digital transformation.
- The growing prominence of the unorganised sector and digital commerce necessitated moving beyond traditional survey mechanisms toward alternative data sources like e-commerce and mobile analytics.
UPSC relevance, Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: The Hindu - Business/Economy