The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) to strengthen data-driven policymaking and innovation. A workshop titled Emerging Trends in Public Data and Technology for Research and Policy was held at the IIMA campus, reaffirming the role of academia in shaping India’s statistical ecosystem.

The event convened leading experts, including: Dr Saurabh Garg – Secretary, MoSPI & Head, NSO Prof Bharat Bhaskar – Director, IIMA Sh P.R. Meshram – Director General, MoSPI

Senior officials, faculty members, researchers, and students engaged in discussions on harnessing public data, emerging technologies, and academic collaboration for policy advancement.

Prof Bharat Bhaskar emphasised the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while cautioning against inherent biases. “AI can enhance decision-making, but safeguards are vital to ensure fairness and accuracy,” he stated. Dr Saurabh Garg underscored MoSPI’s commitment to modernising India’s data infrastructure. “Legacy datasets must be revitalised using emerging technologies to make them AI-ready. IIMA can play a pivotal role in this,” he remarked.

A significant milestone of the workshop was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MoSPI and IIMA. This collaboration will facilitate research-driven policymaking and innovation, ensuring academic insights contribute meaningfully to governance.

The event highlighted the need for a structured institutional framework to foster long-term cooperation between NSO India and IIMA. By integrating data with cutting-edge technology, MoSPI aims to drive evidence-based policymaking, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, excellence, and inclusivity in India’s statistical system.