The VISTAR scheme, a Rs 4,371.10 crore plan to modernise India’s official statistics, was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 November 2026. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research as a central sector scheme for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
VISTAR covers all statistical and data management activities of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It is linked to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal and aims to build a real-time, future-ready official statistical system with better timeliness, data granularity and interoperability.
What Does the VISTAR Scheme Change?
The first component, Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem, plans 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, up from 43 major surveys earlier. It also adds two new measures: a Headline Index of Services Production and an Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
Statistical processes will be digitalised, with artificial intelligence and machine learning used for processing, validation and analysis. The scheme also provides for data harmonisation, covering cataloguing, interoperability, sharing protocols and privacy by design, and for AI-ready datasets. Alternate sources such as mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data will be used to reduce the burden on survey respondents. An internship scheme for students and a research proposal channel for academic and research institutions will build capacity.
How Will States and the Economic Census Be Supported?
The second component, Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS 2.0), gives funds to State and UT governments under a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework. It aims to build state capacity for district-level and other disaggregated data and local policymaking. Technical support will go towards district-level and million-plus city estimates in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), plus State and District GDP and the State Index of Industrial Production.
The third component funds the 8th Economic Census, to be conducted with States and UTs. It will collect granular data on non-farm establishments and their workers down to Gram Panchayat and ward level. The census will assess the unorganised sector and form the baseline for a National Statistical Business Register, and will help estimate the unorganised sector’s contribution to GDP.
Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post on 4 November: “Better data means better decisions, better policies and better delivery to people.”
Market and Trade Reaction
No market or industry reaction to the VISTAR approval was found in the sources reviewed.
What Happens Next?
The official release does not give survey-wise timelines, state-wise fund allocations or a budget split for the Economic Census. Those details are expected to follow as MoSPI begins implementation over the five-year scheme period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VISTAR scheme?
VISTAR stands for Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research. It is a central sector scheme of MoSPI with an outlay of Rs 4,371.10 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
How many surveys will MoSPI run under VISTAR?
MoSPI plans 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys earlier.
What will the 8th Economic Census cover?
It will collect detailed data on non-farm establishments and workers down to Gram Panchayat and ward level, and will serve as the baseline for a National Statistical Business Register.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office website (Cabinet decision, 4 November 2026); Business Today, 4 November 2026.
Leave a comment