- Why in news
- On 16 May 2026, MoSPI invited public feedback on its Base Paper on measuring knowledge's contribution to the Indian economy. Comments are due by 15 June 2026.
- What it is
- This is a Base Paper by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It proposes how to define and value knowledge and knowledge products, including traditional knowledge, in India's economy. It is meant to feed a later Actionable Policy Paper on a measurement framework.
- Who prepared it
- MoSPI prepared the Base Paper, using inputs from a Technical Advisory Group and expert consultations.
- Technical Advisory Group
- The TAG was formed after a February 2025 meeting chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood. It was chaired by Dr R Balasubramaniam.
- Structure of the paper
- The paper has four chapters: concepts, methodologies, traditional knowledge, and a valuation framework primer.
- Next step
- A Committee on Knowledge Systems under Ratan P. Watal, former Member Secretary of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM, will prepare an Actionable Policy Paper.
- Feedback deadline
- Comments from stakeholders and the public are due by 15 June 2026.
Don’t confuse with Base Paper vs Actionable Policy Paper: The Base Paper sets out concepts, methods and an initial framework. The Actionable Policy Paper, to be prepared by the Watal Committee, will build on it with policy recommendations.
Don’t confuse with TAG vs Committee on Knowledge Systems: The Technical Advisory Group (chair Dr R Balasubramaniam) helped shape the Base Paper. The Committee on Knowledge Systems (chair Ratan P. Watal) is the later body for the policy paper.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- Knowledge assets such as R&D, IP and digital output are hard to capture in GDP, so a framework can improve national income statistics.
- Valuing traditional knowledge could help policy on its preservation and documentation.
Problems
- No comparable precedent exists, so definitions, taxonomy and data sources are untested.
- Valuing intangible and traditional knowledge is hard because many of these products are not traded in markets.
Way forward
- Finalise the framework after public consultation and the Actionable Policy Paper.
- Identify reliable data sources and indicators for each knowledge component.
Put in your answer
Measurement gap: The release calls this exercise novel, as it has no comparable precedent. It can be cited as an example of statistical reform for the knowledge economy.
- 2021Mains GS3 · Q1Explain difference in India's GDP computing methodology before and after 2015
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q14Discuss pros and cons of open-sourcing the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
- 2016Mains ESSAY · Q4Essay: innovation as key determinant of economic growth and welfare
- 2001Prelims Q89Match publishers with publications including National Accounts Statistics, Economic Survey, WPI
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A new MoSPI base paper on measuring knowledge products in GDP. Lasting statistics topic, but it is only open for feedback. Reports give 14 of 327 Prelims questions, mostly background facts.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.