The National Sample Survey (NSS) is making headlines for commemorating 75 years

What does NSS stand for?

The National Sample Survey (NSS) is a country-wide, extensive socio-economic data gathering initiative carried out by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

It functions as the main data source for research, policy formulation, and development initiatives in India.

Founded In: The NSS was initiated in 1950, motivated by Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis's vision, to deliver dependable, prompt, and comparable socio-economic data via sample surveys.

Goals of NSS:

Produce reliable socio-economic data to support well-informed policy development.

Perform household surveys that encompass consumption, employment, health, education, and more.

Conduct Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) to evaluate industrial performance.

Assist in crop statistics by overseeing area and yield assessments.

Supply information regarding price fluctuations in both rural and urban areas.

Principle Attributes of NSS:

Nationwide Reach: Research carried out throughout both rural and urban India employing scientific sampling methods.

Four Primary Sections

Survey Design & Research Division (SDRD): Technical strategy and survey formulation (Kolkata).

Field Operations Division (FOD): Gathering data through over 170 field offices (headquarters located in Delhi/Faridabad).

Data Processing Division (DPD): In charge of data validation, tabulation, software, and processing of PLFS and ASI data.

Survey Coordination Division (SCD): Manages NSS operations and releases the Sarvekshana journal.

Multi-Thematic Surveys: Encompasses domains like consumption, employment, health, education, migration, and informal sector information.

Assistance for Agricultural and Industrial Statistics: Improves crop estimation surveys and verifies industrial data through the ASI online platform.

Integrated Data Framework: Preserves urban sampling frames and progressively integrates digital tools and instant processing.