Responding to questions regarding the impact of global geopolitical uncertainties on India's economic performance, Garg said the available data clearly indicates that the country's economy remains robust despite external pressures.
"The data shows that the economy is extremely resilient and, despite global headwinds, it continues to grow well. We hope this momentum will continue, and the future appears bright," he said.
Highlighting the growing importance of data-driven governance, Garg said the rapid expansion of the Digital India initiative over the past decade has generated enormous volumes of administrative data that can significantly strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
He stated that the Prime Minister has consistently emphasized data-driven decision-making, adding that achieving the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 requires policies and decisions that are increasingly focused, accurate, and supported by reliable data.
Garg said the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is working to harmonise administrative data generated across various ministries and government departments to ensure interoperability, machine readability, and adherence to standard classifications. He explained that these measures will enable different datasets to communicate seamlessly, creating a stronger foundation for more effective policymaking in the coming decade.
"On our part, the Ministry of Statistics is ensuring that data is more harmonised so it becomes interoperable, can communicate across different datasets, follows standard classifications, and is fully machine-readable. Considering the future potential of administrative data, these efforts will play a crucial role over the next decade in making policy decisions increasingly data-driven," he said.
Emphasising the role of technology in modernising India's official statistical system, Garg said the Ministry has completely eliminated pen-and-paper surveys and now conducts all field data collection through Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI).
He added that frontier technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), are also being integrated into official statistical processes. In addition, digital portals, mobile applications, and advanced data visualisation tools are making official statistics more accessible, understandable, and useful for citizens and policymakers alike.
"The technology should be intuitive enough that even people without technical expertise can understand the data, visualise it effectively, and use it efficiently in their day-to-day activities," Garg said.
Addressing the challenges associated with administrative data management, Garg identified data harmonisation as one of the Ministry's biggest priorities. He said improving accessibility, ensuring machine readability, and enabling seamless data exchange across ministries and government departments remain key objectives.
He added that the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is actively collaborating with state governments as well as various ministries and departments to overcome these challenges and build a stronger, more integrated data ecosystem for the future.
The remarks underscore the government's continued focus on strengthening India's statistical infrastructure, expanding the use of advanced technologies, and promoting evidence-based governance to support sustained economic growth despite an uncertain global environment.
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