MoSPI gets real with artificial intelligence: Surveys to use chatbots
"To facilitate self-compilation by enterprises in the web-portal based Capex survey, an AI-powered chatbot has been integrated into the portal," Rao Inderjit Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for statistics and programme implementation, told ET. "This chatbot assists respondents by providing guidance on the concepts used across various sections of the survey questionnaire," he explained. The Capex survey tracks capital expenditure trends of private enterprises.
The ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) uses AI and machine learning-enabled chatbots for the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) as well. It is also introducing new surveys and updating existing ones to better reflect present-day economic and social realities, Singh said. The idea is to leverage technology to provide timely data to help the government bring in policies to improve quality of life of Indians and realise Viksit Bharat 2047.
Ads By Google
Ad will close in 29
Skip ad in 4
Skip Ad
A pilot study on the unincorporated construction sector is scheduled for July- December, while a Household Income Survey will be launched from February 2026 to estimate the average income of rural and urban households, the minister said.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) methodology was revamped in January. Under the new framework, reports are released monthly, with rural data included in quarterly releases. Annual reports will follow the calendar year rather than the earlier July-June cycle.
"The updated PLFS design will allow (with state participation) generation of annual district level estimates for most districts across India. It is also planned to release ASUSE results quarterly instead of annually," Singh said.
The MoSPI is set to launch two new surveys from July - National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) and Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey (DTES).
NHTS aims to assess the spatial origin destination matrix for different transportation modes and influencing factors affecting the mode, destination choice, the price elasticity of travel demand by mode. The railway ministry and the government will use this data for transport planning, Singh said. DTES will gather information on trip purpose, mode of transport, accommodation, final destination within the country, and tourism-related expenditure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dalit farmer alleges land grab by SP MLA, matter in Kairana court
Lucknow: A land dispute in Shamli flared into a political storm after Roop Singh, a 52-year-old Dalit farmer from Khanpur village, accused the family of SP MLA Umar Ali Khan of grabbing his govt-allotted land through fraud and coercion. Singh also threatened self-immolation along with his family, prompting concern across political and administrative circles. The controversy stems from a 2003 govt land allotment of three bighas to Singh under a Dalit welfare scheme. The plot, located along the Delhi–Saharanpur highway in Jalalabad, was registered in Khata No. 1213. On June 1, 2018, Singh reportedly sold the land via registered deed to Maulana Ali Khan and Umar Ali Khan, sons of Sarfaraz Ali Khan. Umar is currently the SP MLA from Behat, Saharanpur. However, Singh now claims the sale deed was executed under duress, alleging forged signatures and lack of consent. He filed a civil suit in February 2025 in the Kairana civil court, contesting the legality of the transaction. The next hearing is on July 7, 2025. At a press conference on June 27, Singh alleged the land—now worth Rs 4-5 crore—was forcibly taken over, and he is facing threats and pressure to abandon the case. His dramatic threat to self-immolate drew public attention, especially from Dalit rights groups who view the matter as an example of political and social exploitation. In response, MLA Umar Ali Khan told TOI that a legal registry and full payment via cheque were made in 2018. "The farmer is being instigated by the land mafia. He accepted the money then and is now challenging the deal after seven years," Khan said. He claimed the land was undeveloped in 2018 but has gained value now due to improved connectivity. Shamli SP Ram Sewak Gautam confirmed that the matter is under review and a probe is underway. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Gurgaon's illegal concrete plants to face sealing, power shutdown: Minister Rao Narbir Singh
Gurgaon: Illegal ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in the city will face action from the discom and the pollution board, said industry and commerce minister Rao Narbir Singh on Tuesday, asking the pollution control board to seal illegal RMC plants, and the electricity department to immediately cut off their power supplies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This came after it was found that the RMC plants were operating even after being sealed. While speaking at a review meeting held with officials of the DHBVN and pollution control board on Tuesday regarding departmental works in the district, action on illegal activities, and strengthening of infrastructure, Singh said, "Whenever the pollution control board seals any illegal RMC plant, the electricity department should cut its power connection with immediate effect so that a strong message is sent to those who violate the rules." Singh directed the pollution board and DHBVN officials to jointly take action against such illegal RMCs. Besides, the discom was directed to fix hanging wires on all major roads in the city to maintain smooth traffic flow. "These wires pose an increased risk of accidents during the rainy season, and thus, such areas should be identified and addressed on a priority basis," said Singh. Additionally, he instructed the officials that electric poles located in the middle of roads or within residential areas in rural regions be relocated according to regulations. Singh also acknowledged the issues faced by farmers and workers in rural fields and instructed that old and dilapidated wires should be replaced systematically. He stated that after the harvest, immediate repairs should be conducted in areas where wires are hanging low to prevent accidents. Rao stressed the importance of regular monitoring of departmental work to ensure all tasks are completed according to set standards and timelines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He warned departmental officials that any negligence or laxity at any level would result in accountability and strict action. GMDA issued notices to four ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in the city in March for causing dust pollution. The plants, located on the dividing road of Sectors 112/114 and Sectors 78/79A, were accused of taking illegal access from sector dividing roads, damaging the roads, and spilling slurry, leading to dust pollution.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India's tax growth reflects economic momentum: MLA
Lucknow: Sarojini Nagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh on Tuesday highlighted India's unprecedented tax growth over the past decade, crediting it to PM Narendra Modi's bold economic reforms and CM Yogi Adityanath's governance model in UP. "Tax collections don't lie — they reflect India's real economic momentum," he posted on X. According to Singh, India's total tax revenue surged from Rs 19.75 lakh crore in FY 2016-17 to Rs 48.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, marking a 2.4-fold increase. He called this rise a testament to structural reforms and expanding compliance. GST collections were labelled a "game-changer," having doubled in five years — from ₹11.37 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹22.08 lakh crore in FY25. The monthly average also jumped from ₹95,000 crore in FY22 to ₹1.84 lakh crore in FY25. The number of GST-registered taxpayers grew from 65 lakh in 2017 to over 1.51 crore by 2025. Direct tax receipts, including income and corporate tax, reached ₹19.58 lakh crore in FY24. Personal income tax collections grew 25% to ₹10.44 lakh crore, while corporate tax rose 10.26% to ₹9.11 lakh crore. The taxpayer base more than doubled from 6.9 crore in 2014 to 15.7 crore in 2025. Singh emphasised that digital tools such as e-invoicing, faceless assessments, and AI analytics improved compliance, transparency, and trust. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
