Merger of NSSO and CSO

The government has decided to merge the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to create the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

National Statistical Office

• NSO would be headed by Secretary level officer in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• The statistics wing in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will comprise of the NSO along with its constituents.
• As a result of the merger, NSSO and CSO would become an integral part of the Ministry.

The merger is perceived as a dent on the autonomy of the Indian statistical system. NSSO was an attached office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with a legally distinct identity. National Statistical Commission (NSC) used to oversee all technical aspects of the statistical work viz. which survey needs to be done, when and how it needs to be done. The merger would result in NSSO losing its autonomy. NSC would also lose its control over NSSO.

National Statistical Commission

National Statistical Commission was set up in 2005 as per the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission which reviewed the Indian Statistical System. The NSC has four Members besides a Chairperson, each having specialization and experience in specified statistical fields. The NSC is bestowed with the responsibility to evolve policies, priorities and standards in statistical matters.