Data Innovation Lab announced by ministry of statistics and programme implementation to improve stats quality

Data innovation lab by MoSPI ot become operational

Paving the way for more collaboration to enhance its statistical and technological capabilities, the Ministry of Statistics and program implementation on July 23 notified the guidelines for its data innovation lab.

The ministry also announced the formation of a selection committee that shall gather proposals from researchers to develop methodologies that can help improve the quality of the national statistical system and the creation of beta statistics, which rely on innovative ideas to develop databases and find new ways for data collection.

“Objective of Data Innovation Lab is to promote innovation, adoption of Information Technology in the field of official statistics, including survey-related methodology and address the challenges being faced by the National Statistical System (NSS),” the ministry noted.

The governing council, which consists of the secretary of the ministry as chairperson will also decide on the framework for the innovation lab.

“The functions related to the formation of DI Lab like the creation of sandboxing environment/availability of Hardware and software etc. may be facilitated through appropriate partners/outsourcing,” the guidelines highlighted.

The finance minister in her Budget had announced the need for improving data governance and use of technology.

“For improving data governance, collection, processing, and management of data and statistics, different sectoral databases, including those established under the Digital India mission, will be utilised with active use of technology tools,” the finance minister had said in her speech on July 23.

The Economic Survey also highlighted the importance of Ministry of Statistics and programme implementation. The survey had highlighted the need for revision of existing indicators like consumer inflation, production, and growth, besides pointing to new surveys for capturing items like capex activity.