Discuss the challenges faced by State-level statistical systems in India and how Centre-State cooperation can strengthen them.

Statistics are a shared responsibility. Entry 94 of the Union List and Entry 45 of the Concurrent List both cover statistics. As a result, India's statistical system is decentralised in two ways: across Union ministries, and between the Union and the States [2]. State Directorates of Economics & Statistics (DES) compile State income, the State IIP and price data, yet they remain the weakest link in the national data chain.

Challenges faced by State statistical systems

• Uneven capacity to use funds: Under the Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) sub-scheme, Gujarat and Rajasthan drew their full allocations. Assam received only ₹6.86 crore of ₹25.38 crore, and Uttar Pradesh ₹12.48 crore of ₹43.86 crore [2].
• Patchy participation: Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Delhi had yet to join SSS. Unused funds lapsed in Lakshadweep and in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu [2].
• Funding tied to spending: A State got its next instalment only after using 80% of the previous one [3]. This tests how fast money is spent, not how good the data is.
• Rigid design: State-wise and component-wise allocations were fixed in advance, and support was one-time rather than continuing [2].
• Data silos and staffing: MoSPI itself flags multiple data silos, poor interoperability and weak management of statistical staff [2].
• Methodological dependence: States still need central workshops to prepare State income, State IIP and sub-State CPI estimates [2].

How Centre-State cooperation can help

• Assured, flexible funding: VISTAR (₹4,371.10 crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31) is a Central Sector scheme covering both Central and State statistical systems, with SSS as one component [1]. MoSPI plans Annual Action Plans in place of MoUs and smoother fund flow [2].
• Pay for results: Release grants when States publish datasets on time. This would build on the 2024 revised SSS guidelines [4] and MoSPI's Advance Release Calendar practice [2].
• Help weak States first: Fund staff and training through NSSTA and regional workshops before setting output targets [2].
• Common standards: Extend the quality framework (IQAF), metadata standards and the eSankhyiki portal to States so that their data can be compared [2].
• Joint review: Use CoCSSO for yearly State-wise review. Publish independent evaluations; MoSPI's CD Scheme evaluation was tasked with finding SSS bottlenecks [3].

State statistical systems lack capacity and output-focused rules more than they lack money. VISTAR gives a five-year window to build capacity first and then link funds to results. Credible State data underpins cooperative federalism and SDG monitoring, and is essential for evidence-based progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047.