On May 27, 2025, the National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), collaborated with the Indian School of Business (ISB) to host a Data Users Conference in Hyderabad. The event focused on two pivotal surveys: the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023–24 and the Forward-Looking Survey on Private Sector Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Investment Intentions. With over 200 delegates from academia, industry, policymaking, and international organizations, the conference underscored the importance of granular data for evidence-based policymaking and India’s economic growth.
Chaired by Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, the conference emphasized MoSPI’s vision of ‘Data for Development’. Dr. Garg highlighted MoSPI’s role as India’s largest primary data collector, with survey sample sizes ranging from one to five lakh units. Innovations like the monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the CAPEX Investment Intentions Survey, and the Annual Survey on Service Sector Enterprises (ASSSE) were showcased. He also discussed the revamped MoSPI portal, offering improved access, APIs, visualizations, and user-friendly microdata tools. Dr. Garg stressed collaborations with research institutions, an active internship program, and efforts to enhance state-level statistical systems through district-level data on economic activity. Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, delivered the keynote address, praising MoSPI’s data granularity efforts. He noted that ASUSE and CAPEX surveys provide a realistic picture of India’s private sector activity. Dr. Nageswaran emphasized: “One way to enhance the prospect for desirable policy change is to constantly keep shining the spotlight on social and economic trends as granularly as possible, from the nation to states to districts to blocks.” He highlighted MoSPI’s integration of administrative datasets (e.g., GST, MCA21) and AI tools for district-specific insights. Prof. Madan M. Pillutla, Dean of ISB, underscored the importance of reliable data collection and research-academia collaboration. Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General (NSS), MoSPI, elaborated on bridging the data user-producer gap through ASUSE and CAPEX data.
The conference featured technical sessions on:
- ASUSE 2023–24: The updated sampling design enables quarterly and district-level estimates, offering insights into the unincorporated sector and supporting MSME policy.
- CAPEX Survey: This forward-looking survey identifies emerging investment clusters, guiding industrial policy, investment planning, and employment strategies.
- MSME Utility: ASUSE data enhances understanding of the MSME sector, crucial for economic planning.
A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Ashwini Chhatre (ISB), featured experts like Shri Dharmakirti Joshi (CRISIL) and Dr. Pallavi Choudhuri (NCAER). It noted strong CAPEX growth but underutilized corporate capacity, with households as key contributors to Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF). Panelists called for better microdata access, standardized metadata, and stronger state-level statistical systems.
The conference outlined several recommendations to enhance India’s statistical framework:
- Enrich ASUSE by profiling enterprise age and motivations for starting businesses in the unincorporated sector.
- Improve microdata access and metadata standardization for robust research.
- Expand ASUSE and CAPEX datasets to include FDI, exports, imports, and global value chain participation to align with Vision 2047.
- Increase enterprise registration and monitor credit access programs like MUDRA for financial inclusion.
- Include questions on renewable energy investments (e.g., biomass, solar, wind) in future CAPEX surveys.
The Data Users Conference highlights India’s commitment to data-driven development. By leveraging ASUSE and CAPEX surveys, policymakers can better understand the unincorporated sector and private sector investment trends, fostering MSME growth, employment, and sustainable development. The focus on granular data and technological advancements aligns with Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047, positioning India as a leader in evidence-based policymaking.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Data Users Conference |
| Date | May 27, 2025 |
| Organizers | National Statistics Office (MoSPI), Indian School of Business (ISB) |
| Location | Hyderabad |
| Key Surveys | ASUSE 2023–24, CAPEX Investment Intentions Survey |
| Key Figures | Dr. Saurabh Garg, Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Prof. Madan M. Pillutla, Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore |
| Focus Areas | Granular data, MSME support, private sector investment, evidence-based policymaking |
| Significance | Aligns with Digital India, Viksit Bharat 2047, and MSME growth |