NSO Launches Three Major Surveys
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has initiated three nationwide surveys to comprehensively map how Indians migrate, borrow money, and engage in farming. These surveys aim to fill critical data gaps and provide evidence for policy formulation, according to official sources.
Migration Survey Focus
The migration survey will examine seasonal and return migration patterns, employment profiles of migrants, reasons for relocation, and remittance flows. It will cover both internal and international migration, capturing data on duration, frequency, and socio-economic characteristics of migrants. The survey is expected to shed light on how migration affects rural and urban economies.
Household Borrowing Survey
Another survey focuses on household borrowing, including sources of credit (formal vs. informal), purpose of loans, interest rates, and repayment patterns. This data will help assess financial inclusion and debt stress among Indian households. The NSO plans to collect information on borrowing from banks, microfinance institutions, moneylenders, and family members.
Farming Practices Survey
The third survey targets agricultural practices, covering land ownership, crop patterns, input usage (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), irrigation methods, and access to markets and subsidies. It will also collect data on farmers' income, adoption of technology, and impact of climate change on yields.
Methodology and Timeline
The surveys will be conducted across all states and union territories using a stratified multi-stage sampling design. Fieldwork is scheduled to begin in July 2026 and continue for 12 months. The NSO has trained enumerators and will use digital tools for real-time data collection and validation.
Policy Implications
These surveys are crucial for designing targeted interventions under government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), MGNREGA, and urban employment programs. The migration data will help in planning for urban infrastructure and social security for migrant workers. Borrowing data will inform financial sector policies to reduce informal credit dependence.
According to an NSO official, the last comprehensive migration survey was conducted in 2010, and the new survey will provide updated insights. The agricultural survey will complement the periodic Agricultural Census and help assess the impact of government schemes on farm productivity and income.
