STASTISTICS DAY- MAHALANOBIS
📅 Last updated: June 28, 2025 2 min read
Why in News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will celebrate the 19th edition of Statistics Day on June 29, 2025, in honour of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, a pioneer in Indian statistics and planning. This year’s theme, “75 Years of National Sample Survey”, highlights the enduring role of data collection and statistical analysis in shaping policies over decades. The event will witness key launches including a commemorative coin, a new mobile application for accessing government statistics, and the release of critical publications like the Sustainable Development Goals Report and Nutrition Intake Survey. A panel discussion on emerging technologies and their impact on official statistics will also be featured, with participation from national experts and policymakers.
Why in News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will celebrate the 19th edition of Statistics Day on June 29, 2025, in honour of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, a pioneer in Indian statistics and planning. This year’s theme, “75 Years of National Sample Survey”, highlights the enduring role of data collection and statistical analysis in shaping policies over decades. The event will witness key launches including a commemorative coin, a new mobile application for accessing government statistics, and the release of critical publications like the Sustainable Development Goals Report and Nutrition Intake Survey. A panel discussion on emerging technologies and their impact on official statistics will also be featured, with participation from national experts and policymakers.
What is National Statistics Day?
National Statistics Day is an annual observance in India held on June 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis, who is celebrated as the “Father of Indian Statistics.” First observed in 2007, this day aims to raise awareness among the public, especially students and young researchers, about the critical role statistics plays in national development, evidence-based governance, and planning. It was officially recognised through a gazette notification and declared as a day of national importance.
Why is it Celebrated?
- Tribute to PC Mahalanobis: The celebration honours Prof. Mahalanobis, who revolutionised the use of statistics in India’s planning process. His methodologies, particularly in sample surveys, laid the foundation for modern economic policy formulation.
- Raising Statistical Awareness: The day also seeks to cultivate an understanding of how statistics influence everyday decision-making—be it in health policies, education systems, or welfare programs.
- Encouraging Youth Participation: Through seminars, lectures, and competitions, the event encourages students to explore statistics as a field of study and understand its real-world applications.
Theme of 2025: 75 Years of National Sample Survey
This year’s theme celebrates the journey and achievements of the National Sample Survey (NSS), which has been the backbone of India's official statistics since 1950. The NSS has enabled the government to assess living conditions, employment, nutrition, education, and health data from rural and urban India—providing a factual basis for planning schemes and targeting benefits.
Celebrating its 75th year, the focus is not just on the legacy of the NSS but also on its future in a digital and data-intensive world. The celebration includes the release of vital documents like the National Indicator Framework Progress Report for the SDGs and detailed nutritional intake data for recent years.
Role of NSS in India’s Governance
- Reliable Data for Welfare Schemes: The National Sample Survey (NSS) has been the backbone for programs like MGNREGA, NFSA, and Ayushman Bharat. Its household-level data helps identify beneficiaries, assess progress, and make course corrections.
- Bridge Between Ground Reality and Policy: Unlike data collected through digital means or government departments, NSS surveys offer on-ground, statistically verified insights into issues like unemployment, poverty, education levels, consumption trends, and gender gaps.
- Evidence in Courts and Committees: Data from NSS rounds is also cited in parliamentary committees, NITI Aayog reports, and even in judicial observations during PIL hearings on socio-economic issues.
Relevance in the Age of Big Data and AI
- Combining Traditional and Tech-Driven Data: While India is advancing in real-time databases like Aadhaar and UPI, traditional surveys like NSS still remain crucial for contextual accuracy, especially in rural and unorganised sectors.
- AI-Enhanced Statistical Models: MoSPI and allied institutions are beginning to use AI for data cleaning, fraud detection, trend forecasting, and anomaly detection—making Indian statistics more predictive and policy-oriented.
- Statistical Sovereignty: As data becomes a geopolitical asset, having robust national-level statistics reduces dependency on external data sources and ensures autonomy in national planning.
Who was PC Mahalanobis?
- Visionary Statistician: Born in 1893, Prof. Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and introduced the Mahalanobis Distance, a method widely used today in machine learning, pattern recognition, and multivariate statistics.
- Planner and Policy Architect: He played a key role in designing India’s Second Five-Year Plan, focusing on industrialisation using statistical models. He was also a member of the first Planning Commission of India.
- Legacy of Institutions: His efforts institutionalised the use of data in governance, giving rise to systematic surveys and long-term policy frameworks.
Celebrations and Key Events in 2025
- Ministerial Inauguration: The event will be inaugurated by Rao Inderjit Singh, and feature addresses from national statistical leaders and policymakers.
- Launch of Statistical Tools: New releases will include a commemorative coin, the GoIStat mobile app for public access to data, and official statistical publications.
- Awards and Recognition: The prestigious Prof. C.R. Rao National Award in Statistics will be conferred, along with prizes for winners of the Data Visualization Hackathon.
- Expert Panel Discussion: A high-level session on “Impact of Frontier Technologies on Official Statistics” will be held, exploring how AI, big data, and tech innovation are transforming data collection and usage.
Educational Importance
- Promotes Data Literacy: By showcasing how data influences policymaking, this day helps students appreciate the need for factual evidence in social and economic decisions.
- Encourages Careers in Statistics: Through academic activities like quizzes, debates, and guest lectures, it motivates students to explore higher studies and careers in data analytics, actuarial sciences, or government planning.
- Critical Thinking Development: Understanding statistical surveys also improves analytical thinking, a skill valuable in competitive exams and civil services.
Conclusion
National Statistics Day is not just a ceremonial event—it is a reminder that strong statistical systems are the backbone of responsible governance. Celebrating Prof. Mahalanobis's legacy, the 2025 observance reinforces the idea that without accurate data, policy is mere guesswork. In an age where data is the new currency, investing in statistical capacity and youth engagement becomes essential for India’s sustainable future.
What is National Statistics Day?
National Statistics Day is an annual observance in India held on June 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis, who is celebrated as the “Father of Indian Statistics.” First observed in 2007, this day aims to raise awareness among the public, especially students and young researchers, about the critical role statistics plays in national development, evidence-based governance, and planning. It was officially recognised through a gazette notification and declared as a day of national importance.
Why is it Celebrated?
- Tribute to PC Mahalanobis: The celebration honours Prof. Mahalanobis, who revolutionised the use of statistics in India’s planning process. His methodologies, particularly in sample surveys, laid the foundation for modern economic policy formulation.
- Raising Statistical Awareness: The day also seeks to cultivate an understanding of how statistics influence everyday decision-making—be it in health policies, education systems, or welfare programs.
- Encouraging Youth Participation: Through seminars, lectures, and competitions, the event encourages students to explore statistics as a field of study and understand its real-world applications.
Theme of 2025: 75 Years of National Sample Survey
This year’s theme celebrates the journey and achievements of the National Sample Survey (NSS), which has been the backbone of India's official statistics since 1950. The NSS has enabled the government to assess living conditions, employment, nutrition, education, and health data from rural and urban India—providing a factual basis for planning schemes and targeting benefits.
Celebrating its 75th year, the focus is not just on the legacy of the NSS but also on its future in a digital and data-intensive world. The celebration includes the release of vital documents like the National Indicator Framework Progress Report for the SDGs and detailed nutritional intake data for recent years.
Role of NSS in India’s Governance
- Reliable Data for Welfare Schemes: The National Sample Survey (NSS) has been the backbone for programs like MGNREGA, NFSA, and Ayushman Bharat. Its household-level data helps identify beneficiaries, assess progress, and make course corrections.
- Bridge Between Ground Reality and Policy: Unlike data collected through digital means or government departments, NSS surveys offer on-ground, statistically verified insights into issues like unemployment, poverty, education levels, consumption trends, and gender gaps.
- Evidence in Courts and Committees: Data from NSS rounds is also cited in parliamentary committees, NITI Aayog reports, and even in judicial observations during PIL hearings on socio-economic issues.
Relevance in the Age of Big Data and AI
- Combining Traditional and Tech-Driven Data: While India is advancing in real-time databases like Aadhaar and UPI, traditional surveys like NSS still remain crucial for contextual accuracy, especially in rural and unorganised sectors.
- AI-Enhanced Statistical Models: MoSPI and allied institutions are beginning to use AI for data cleaning, fraud detection, trend forecasting, and anomaly detection—making Indian statistics more predictive and policy-oriented.
- Statistical Sovereignty: As data becomes a geopolitical asset, having robust national-level statistics reduces dependency on external data sources and ensures autonomy in national planning.
Who was PC Mahalanobis?
- Visionary Statistician: Born in 1893, Prof. Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and introduced the Mahalanobis Distance, a method widely used today in machine learning, pattern recognition, and multivariate statistics.
- Planner and Policy Architect: He played a key role in designing India’s Second Five-Year Plan, focusing on industrialisation using statistical models. He was also a member of the first Planning Commission of India.
- Legacy of Institutions: His efforts institutionalised the use of data in governance, giving rise to systematic surveys and long-term policy frameworks.
Celebrations and Key Events in 2025
- Ministerial Inauguration: The event will be inaugurated by Rao Inderjit Singh, and feature addresses from national statistical leaders and policymakers.
- Launch of Statistical Tools: New releases will include a commemorative coin, the GoIStat mobile app for public access to data, and official statistical publications.
- Awards and Recognition: The prestigious Prof. C.R. Rao National Award in Statistics will be conferred, along with prizes for winners of the Data Visualization Hackathon.
- Expert Panel Discussion: A high-level session on “Impact of Frontier Technologies on Official Statistics” will be held, exploring how AI, big data, and tech innovation are transforming data collection and usage.
Educational Importance
- Promotes Data Literacy: By showcasing how data influences policymaking, this day helps students appreciate the need for factual evidence in social and economic decisions.
- Encourages Careers in Statistics: Through academic activities like quizzes, debates, and guest lectures, it motivates students to explore higher studies and careers in data analytics, actuarial sciences, or government planning.
- Critical Thinking Development: Understanding statistical surveys also improves analytical thinking, a skill valuable in competitive exams and civil services.
Conclusion
National Statistics Day is not just a ceremonial event—it is a reminder that strong statistical systems are the backbone of responsible governance. Celebrating Prof. Mahalanobis's legacy, the 2025 observance reinforces the idea that without accurate data, policy is mere guesswork. In an age where data is the new currency, investing in statistical capacity and youth engagement becomes essential for India’s sustainable future.
