MC EXCLUSIVE Goodbye pen and paper, NSO embraces digital surveys for faster results: MoSPI secretary Garg

The CAPI has provision for in-built data validation and other features of survey administration that enables faster processing and finalization of the survey data.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has now fully switched to using tablets for collecting data for its surveys, doing away with the traditional "pen and paper mode", which is helping it to process and finalise the data faster, Saurabh Garg, secretary, MoSPI, said.

"The NSO is collecting data in the NSS (national sample surveys ) by using tablets through CAPI (computer-assisted personal interview). CAPI has provision for in-built data validation and other features of survey administration that enables faster processing and finalisation of the survey data," Garg told Moneycontrol in an interview on Tuesday, adding that data collection can be done both online and offline.

"With the use of CAPI, the time period for dissemination of the results and the data of the surveys post the conduct of the survey could be reduced to a great extent," noted Garg. For instance, the CMS:T or 'Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom' was conducted by the NSO from January to March, and the results were released within two months, in May.

CAPI has a three-tier system. At the basic level is the enumerator; the medium level is the field supervisors' and the final level is the data supervisor. "Referral back for clarification for inconsistent cases can also be done through CAPI. The dashboard and other modules integrated with the digital platform help to monitor the progress of survey work of data collection and processing on a real-time basis," explained the secretary.

In addition, some in-house software has also been developed for data validation, multiplier calculation, table generation, RSE or relative standard error calculation, etc., for the NSS, said Garg.

The official further noted that some features of AI/ML-enabled chatbots have been included in some of the surveys, such the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises and Capex Survey.

To facilitate self-compilation by enterprises in the web portal-based Capex Survey, an AI-powered chatbot has been integrated into the portal. "This chatbot assists respondents by providing guidance on the concepts used across various sections of the survey questionnaire," said Garg, adding that the chatbot, developed using Natural Language Processing techniques, is designed to offer seamless assistance throughout the survey process.