{"id":27395,"date":"2026-11-05T13:19:37","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T07:49:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/?p=27395"},"modified":"2026-11-05T13:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T07:52:09","slug":"vistar-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/vistar-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"VISTAR Scheme 2026, Components, Features, Significance, Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>VISTAR Scheme <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is a major initiative to modernise India's official statistical system and strengthen data based governance. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. It aims to improve data quality, accessibility, accuracy and timeliness through digital transformation and advanced analytical capabilities, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>What is VISTAR Scheme?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>The full form of VISTAR Scheme stands for Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics &amp; Research Scheme. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a central sector scheme and was approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of Rs. 4,371.10 crore. The scheme aims to develop a real time, technology driven statistical framework for better research, policymaking and national data management.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>VISTAR Scheme Features<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>VISTAR Scheme <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">introduces comprehensive reforms in statistical operations, data management and research to strengthen India's evidence based governance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Financial Outlay: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The scheme has an approved budget of Rs. 4,371.10 crore for five financial years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Expanded Survey Coverage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MoSPI plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/finance-commission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Finance Commission<\/a><\/strong> cycle, compared to 43 major surveys conducted previously.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Digital Transformation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Statistical processes will undergo end to end digitalisation, with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning integrated into data processing, validation and analysis.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>New Statistical Indices: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New measures, including the Headline Index of Services Production and Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, will strengthen economic data availability.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Data Harmonisation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Standardised cataloguing, machine readability, interoperability and secure data sharing protocols will improve coordination and enable AI ready datasets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Alternative Data Sources: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data will complement traditional surveys, reduce respondent burden and address existing data gaps.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Research and Capacity Building: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Internship opportunities for students and research proposals from academic institutions will encourage statistical research and develop skilled human resources.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>State Level Statistical Development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Support will improve district level estimates, million plus city estimates, State and District GDP compilation and State level Index of Industrial Production (IIP).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Policy and Planning Support: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improved availability of granular statistical information will assist national and sub national authorities in planning, resource allocation and evidence based decision making.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>VISTAR Scheme Components<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>VISTAR Scheme <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">has three major components to strengthen national statistical infrastructure, improve state level data capabilities and expand economic data coverage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><b>1. Comprehensive Statistical Operations and Strengthening of Ecosystem<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This component aims to improve the coverage, accuracy and accessibility of official statistics through expanded surveys, digitalisation, advanced technologies and stronger data management practices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Expansion of Statistical Surveys: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MoSPI plans to conduct 59 surveys during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, compared with 43 major surveys earlier, addressing sectoral data gaps and supporting informed policy decisions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Integration of AI and ML: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/artificial-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Artificial Intelligence<\/strong><\/a> and Machine Learning will be incorporated into regular statistical operations, particularly for processing, validating and analysing information, making data management more efficient.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Introduction of New Economic Indicators: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MoSPI will develop indicators such as the Headline Index of Services Production and the Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises to strengthen economic measurement.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Data Harmonisation and Interoperability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Standardised data cataloguing, machine readability, interoperability and secure sharing protocols will improve coordination, minimise duplication and support integrated, AI enabled decision making across government institutions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Use of Alternative Data Sources: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mobile phone, scanner and e-commerce data will supplement traditional surveys, helping address information gaps, reduce the burden on respondents and improve evidence based policymaking.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Research and Capacity Development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Students and researchers will receive opportunities through internships and research proposals involving academic and research institutions, strengthening statistical knowledge and institutional capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>2. Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This component strengthens statistical institutions in States and Union Territories through financial assistance, technical support and improved district level data generation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>SSS 2.0 Framework: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A redesigned, deliverable linked funding mechanism will support State and UT Governments in upgrading statistical systems and improving their ability to generate reliable and detailed data.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>District Level Data Generation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">States will be encouraged to produce high quality, disaggregated statistical information at district and other local levels to support evidence based planning and targeted development interventions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthening Statistical Capabilities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The component promotes indigenous data processing infrastructure and greater use of statistical information in state level and local policymaking.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Technical Support for Estimates: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MoSPI will assist in developing district and million plus city estimates through surveys such as PLFS, HCES and ASUSE, alongside State and District GDP and State level IIP compilation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>3. Economic Census (EC)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This component focuses on comprehensive information about non farm economic establishments and their workforce to improve assessment of the unorganised sector.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Conducting the 8th Economic Census: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MoSPI will conduct the census jointly with States and UTs to collect detailed information about non farm establishments and their hired workers across the country.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Village and Ward Level Coverage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data collection will extend up to Gram Panchayat and Ward levels, providing detailed geographical and economic information about establishments and employment activities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>National Statistical Business Register: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The census will establish the foundation for developing the National Statistical Business Register (SBR), supporting targeted enterprise surveys and better designed economic interventions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Assessment of the Unorganised Sector: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The collected information will help policymakers assess the structure and activities of the unorganised economy and estimate its contribution to India's <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/gross-domestic-product-gdp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Gross Domestic Product (GDP)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VISTAR Scheme 2026 gets Cabinet approval with Rs 4,371.10 crore outlay to modernise India&#8217;s statistical system through AI, expanded surveys and the 8th Economic Census.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":27401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1787],"tags":[1928,1927,1926],"class_list":{"0":"post-27395","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-current-affairs","8":"tag-vistar","9":"tag-vistar-scheme","10":"tag-vistar-scheme-2026"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27395"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27397,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27395\/revisions\/27397"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramias.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}