- Why in news
- On 4 November 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the VISTAR scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 4,371.10 crore, to upgrade India's official statistical system.
- What it is
- VISTAR is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It brings all of MoSPI's statistical and data management activities under one scheme with three components. It aims at timely, granular, interoperable and AI-ready official data in line with Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Three components
- Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem; Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS); Economic Census (EC).
- Surveys planned
- MoSPI proposes 59 surveys in the 16th FC cycle, against 43 major surveys earlier.
- SSS 2.0
- Funds go to States/UTs under a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework to build district-level data capacity.
- 8th Economic Census
- It covers non-farm establishments and workers up to Gram Panchayat and Ward level, and will be the baseline for a National Statistical Business Register.
- New indices
- MoSPI plans the Headline Index of Services Production and the Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
Don’t confuse with Central sector vs centrally sponsored scheme: Central sector schemes are fully funded by the Centre; centrally sponsored schemes share cost with States.
Don’t confuse with PLFS, HCES, ASUSE: These are separate MoSPI surveys: Periodic Labour Force Survey, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Better, timely and granular data improves policy targeting and evidence-based decisions.
- District and Ward level data strengthens local planning and a cooperative federal statistical system.
Problems
- States' varying statistical capacity and data quality.
- Privacy, consent and reliability risks in using mobile, scanner and e-commerce data.
Way forward
- Link State funds to deliverables and build skilled staff at State and district level.
- Set data protection and quality standards for alternate data sources.
Put in your answer
VISTAR outlay: Rs 4,371.10 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Alternate data sources: MoSPI will use mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data to complement surveys and reduce respondent burden.
No close past question yet.
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.VISTAR has two components: the Economic Census and Support for Statistical Strengthening.
False. It has three components; the first is Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem.
2.Under VISTAR, MoSPI proposes 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, up from 43 major surveys earlier.
True. 59 surveys are proposed against 43 earlier.
3.Under the Support for Statistical Strengthening component, funds are provided to State and UT Governments through a deliverable-linked framework.
True. SSS 2.0 is a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework for States/UTs.
4.The Economic Census data is intended to serve as the baseline for a National Statistical Business Register.
True. The 8th EC will be the baseline for developing the National Statistical Business Register.
5.In a central sector scheme, the Union Government funds the scheme fully.
True. Central sector schemes are 100% funded and implemented by the Centre, unlike centrally sponsored schemes.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.