The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 4 November 2026 approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR), a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 4,371.10 crore. Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, the scheme aims to build a dynamic, real-time and future-ready official statistical architecture with harmonised, AI-ready datasets and stronger national data governance.
VISTAR will cover all statistical and data management activities of MoSPI and give the ministry flexibility to allocate resources against immediate policy needs. It builds on earlier MoSPI digital steps such as the GoIStats app for public access to official statistics and the ministry’s work with research institutions to modernise official statistics with IIIT-Delhi.
Three components of the VISTAR scheme
According to the Press Information Bureau release, VISTAR has three components: Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem; Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS 2.0); and the 8th Economic Census with States and Union Territories.
Under the first component, MoSPI proposes 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, up from 43 earlier, to close critical data gaps. The ministry will pursue end-to-end digitalisation of statistical processes and embed Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in data processing, validation and analysis. New metrics planned include a Headline Index of Services Production and an Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
Data harmonisation will rest on cataloguing, machine readability, interoperability, sharing protocols and privacy by design, so silos shrink and AI-driven decision-making becomes easier across government. Alternate sources such as mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data will complement traditional surveys. Internship and research schemes will open capacity-building routes for students and academic institutions.
How SSS 2.0 and the 8th Economic Census strengthen States
SSS 2.0 will fund States and UTs through a deliverable-linked framework to raise district-level and other granular data capacity, indigenous processing capability and local use of data in policymaking. MoSPI will support district-level and million-plus city estimates in flagship surveys such as PLFS, HCES and ASUSE, and help compile State and District GDP as well as State-level Index of Industrial Production.
The 8th Economic Census, run with States and UTs, will map non-farm establishments and hired workers down to Gram Panchayat and Ward level. That baseline will feed a National Statistical Business Register and help estimate the unorganised sector’s contribution to GDP. The census thrust sits beside wider work on AI-powered census and smarter population data for governance.
Why VISTAR matters for digital governance
Official statistics shape budgets, welfare targeting and investment signals. Raising survey volume, digitising workflows, funding State capacity and rebuilding the economic census baseline should make those numbers faster, finer and more interoperable. The AI-ready dataset agenda also tracks India’s broader push for sovereign AI and scalable digital governance.
More on MoSPI’s mandate is available on the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation website.
Key takeaways
- Cabinet approved VISTAR on 4 November 2026 with an outlay of Rs 4,371.10 crore for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 under MoSPI.
- The scheme has three pillars: 59 surveys plus AI/ML digitalisation, SSS 2.0 support to States/UTs, and the 8th Economic Census.
- Goals include real-time, AI-ready official statistics, district-level estimates, and a National Statistical Business Register baseline.
FAQ
What is the VISTAR scheme?
VISTAR (Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research) is a MoSPI central sector scheme approved by the Union Cabinet to modernise India’s official statistical system from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
What is the approved outlay for VISTAR?
The Cabinet approved an outlay of Rs 4,371.10 crore for the five-year period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, as stated in the PIB Delhi release of 4 November 2026.
Which surveys and census does VISTAR cover?
MoSPI plans 59 surveys in the 16th FC cycle (versus 43 earlier), SSS 2.0 support for district and city estimates in PLFS, HCES and ASUSE, and the 8th Economic Census with States and UTs.
Also read: IAS Sudhansh Pant given additional charge as Secretary, MoSPI
Featured image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with senior Union ministers during a Cabinet meeting in New Delhi. Photo: Press Information Bureau / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)