The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and the Pahle India Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly strengthen work in official statistics, research, data analysis, capacity building and knowledge sharing. The National Statistics Office (NSO), which is part of MoSPI, will coordinate with the Foundation on projects of mutual interest aligned with the ministry’s priorities.
The pact was formalised on 8 October 2026 at a signing ceremony attended by senior officials from both organisations, including the Secretary and Director General of MoSPI.
Key facts
- Signatory parties: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) through the National Statistics Office (NSO) and Pahle India Foundation
- Signing date: 8 October 2026
- Signatory officials: Ms. Sunitha Bhaskar, Additional Director General, MoSPI and Mr. Ravi Pokharna, Executive Director, Pahle India Foundation
- Key attendees: Dr. Saurabh Garg (Secretary, MoSPI), Shri P. R. Meshram (Director General, MoSPI), Dr. Rajiv Kumar (Chairperson, Pahle India Foundation), Shri Ashish Kumar (Chief Statistician, Pahle India Foundation)
- Focus areas: Official statistics, research, data analysis, capacity building and knowledge sharing
What the collaboration covers
The MoU creates a formal framework for the two organisations to work together on projects and initiatives related to statistics and data. The agreement does not restrict collaboration to a fixed list of activities. Instead, specific projects will be chosen based on what MoSPI identifies as its priority areas from time to time.
The joint work will span four main domains. First, official statistics production and methodology—areas where the NSO conducts national surveys, gathers data and publishes figures that feed into policy decisions across government. Second, research activities that build on this data to generate new insights. Third, data analysis capabilities and techniques that help turn raw information into usable evidence. Fourth, capacity building programmes to train statisticians and researchers in modern methods, and knowledge sharing arrangements to disseminate findings widely.
Why this partnership matters
The NSO is India’s nodal agency for producing official statistics across sectors such as agriculture, industry, services, prices, employment and social welfare. These numbers form the basis for government policy decisions and for tracking economic progress. The Pahle India Foundation brings research expertise, analytical capabilities and institutional experience in data work. By formalising a partnership, both organisations can leverage each other’s strengths—the NSO’s statistical infrastructure and authority, and the Foundation’s research and analytical depth.
Such collaboration is increasingly important as India generates larger volumes of data and seeks deeper analysis to inform evidence-based policymaking. Partnering with research organisations allows the statistical system to stay current with modern analytical methods, train the next generation of statisticians, and ensure findings are accessible to policymakers and the public.
What this means for you
If you are a researcher, student or professional working with Indian statistical data, this partnership may improve the quality and accessibility of research outputs based on official statistics. Capacity building initiatives under the MoU could create training opportunities in advanced statistical and data analysis methods. If you use government data for policy work, journalism, or academic research, enhanced collaboration between these two organisations may result in better analysis and more user-friendly data products. The knowledge-sharing element suggests that findings and methodologies may be more widely disseminated than before.
Civil society organisations, think tanks and businesses that rely on official statistics may also benefit from improved data quality and analytical support emerging from this partnership.
What happens next
The MoU establishes the framework, but concrete projects will be identified based on MoSPI’s evolving priorities. Specific collaborative activities will be designed and rolled out in consultation between both parties. Details of these initiatives are expected to emerge as the partnership develops.