GS2 – Governance
Context:
To commemorate 75 years of the National Sample Survey (NSS), the National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, launched Statathon 2025.
About Statathon:
Statathon is a national-level innovation challenge introduced under MoSPI’s Data Innovation Lab (2023) initiative. The competition is designed to revolutionize India’s official statistics ecosystem by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
Key Focus Areas:
Participants are tasked with solving five core problem statements across the statistical data lifecycle:
- Data Access (API Integration)
- Smart Data Collection using AI-enabled Surveys
- Automated Data Processing
- Semantic Classification using National Classification of Occupation (NCO)
- Data Anonymisation
Objectives:
- Statistical Reforms: Overhaul existing data systems to enhance methods of collection, processing, and dissemination.
- Tech Integration: Mainstream technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Generative AI to improve data reliability, usability, and security.
Institutional Context:
The NSO, created in 2019 through the merger of CSO and NSSO, serves as the apex statistical agency in India, coordinating statistical operations and ensuring data quality, especially in socio-economic surveys.