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The Union Cabinet has approved the VISTAR Scheme with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore. The initiative aims to modernise India’s official statistical system between 2026–27 and 2030–31.
VISTAR stands for Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics and Research. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will lead the programme.
The scheme seeks to improve the quality, speed and accessibility of government data. Better statistics can help policymakers understand economic and social changes more accurately.
Three Main Components of VISTAR
The government has divided the VISTAR Scheme into three major components.
The first component will strengthen statistical operations and infrastructure. The ministry plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle. Earlier, the system conducted 43 major surveys.
The second component will support statistical development in states and Union Territories. Under the redesigned Support for Statistical Strengthening programme, governments can improve district-level data collection and analysis.
The third component covers the eighth Economic Census. The ministry will conduct this exercise with state and Union Territory governments.
AI and Digital Technology to Support Data Collection
The scheme will introduce more digital processes across statistical operations. The ministry also plans to use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for data processing, validation and analysis.
These tools can help officials handle large datasets more efficiently. The programme will also explore alternative data sources, including mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce information.
The government aims to improve data sharing between departments. It also plans to strengthen privacy safeguards and make datasets easier to access and compare.
Why the Scheme Matters
Reliable statistics help governments plan welfare programmes, infrastructure and economic policies. They also help researchers and businesses understand changing trends.
The eighth Economic Census will collect information about non-farm establishments and their workers. It will provide details down to the Gram Panchayat and ward levels.
The data can help policymakers understand the unorganised sector. It can also support better estimates of economic activity across districts.
The VISTAR Scheme marks a major investment in India’s statistical infrastructure. Its success will depend on accurate data collection, strong coordination with states and responsible use of technology.