First-ever Household Income Survey to be carried out in 2026 by Statistics Ministry

The ministry of statistics and programme implementation (moSPI) has declared intentions to submit India to the first-ever Household income Survey in 2026. This survey will be used to gauge the income of households in the country and it will also determine the effect that adoption of technology has on wages. This survey is proposed by an expert committee led by an economist Surjit Bhalla who has attempted to undertake this survey many times in the past because of unavailability of reliable data. The project is a cherry on the pie because it displays the concern of MoSPI toward passing credible economic statistics and bettering statistical infrastructure within India.

Context

• In 2026, India will have the first ever Household Income Survey, that is, an attempt to measure income and measure the effects of technology on wages. 

• The survey will be a giant step in enhancing the data gathered and give more precise information on the economic situation of the country.

Key Points

Objective

• The first prime effort to mop up precise household income data in India.

  • Income disparities

  • Economic trends

  • Technological effects on wages

Historical Context

• Past attempts (1950s60s) did not work because of undependable data and underestimation of application.

• The result was that estimates of income were less than the consumption and savings thereby causing inconsistency.

• The recent earlier program failed and, thereby, a new one is required.

Scope and Methodology

• Coverage: All over the country (rural and urban)

• Advised by: Technical Expert Group (TEG) headed by the economist Surjit Bhalla

• Focus on:

  • Better methods of sampling

  • Plugging the major gaps of income distribution data

Expert group and advisory role.

• TEG responsibilities:

  • Define major income-related notions

  • Develop survey tools Design survey tools

  • Make sure that it conforms to global best practices

  • Devise finishing of results

Related Initiatives

• Ministry of statistics also carries out:

  • Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) - monthly survey based on income, rent, pensions, remittances

  • Age of industry Annual Survey of Industries

  • Surveys of Social Consumption

Conclusion

Household Income Survey is indeed a milestone on enhancing data and research that monitors the trends of income patterns in India. Under the leadership of such experts as Surjit Bhalla, the project will generate important information on the issue of economic inequality and technological influences on earnings, which will facilitate development of more efficient economic strategies. The survey will also help India in the achievement of a stable statistical framework in the future growth of the country.