Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday emphasised the importance of accurate and timely data for effective governance, saying that reliable statistics are essential for proper planning, resource allocation and ensuring that government benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Addressing 34 Officer Trainees of the 2026 batch of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS), including 16 women, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice-President said, “If the data is not correct, no decision can be correct.” He cautioned that inaccurate foundational data could lead to inappropriate policy decisions, inefficient use of scarce resources and difficulties in addressing national challenges.
V-P Radhakrishnan said official statistics are not merely numbers but important instruments of governance that enable the government to understand the position of the country and different sections of society. He stressed that field experience, accurate data collection, proper maintenance and timely presentation of statistics are crucial for the successful implementation of government programmes.
“The success or failure of a scheme depends significantly on the quality of data,” he said, underlining the role of statisticians in ensuring that government schemes deliver their intended benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
The Vice President also highlighted the strengthening of India’s statistical and administrative data ecosystem, including digital databases, GST data and high-frequency economic information. Referring to the expansion of digital transactions, he said the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has contributed significantly to the growth of digital payments and helped reduce the parallel economy.
He also stressed the importance of selecting appropriate base years for economic calculations and accurately measuring the country’s real growth. At the same time, he noted that economic indicators alone do not provide a complete picture of human well-being, with factors such as happiness and quality of life also requiring consideration.
Calling trust the foundation of statistics, V-P Radhakrishnan urged the young officers to maintain professional and ethical integrity, political neutrality, confidentiality and impartiality. He encouraged them to continuously learn from field experiences and remain receptive to insights from seniors, colleagues and subordinates.
The Vice President further urged the officer trainees to remain curious, rigorous and open to innovation while safeguarding their professional independence. He said the concept of “Data for Development” and data-driven decision-making would play a critical role in building a robust statistical system for Viksit Bharat@2047.
Congratulating the officer trainees on joining the Indian Statistical Service, V-P Radhakrishnan said the increasing representation of women in the batch reflects India’s transition from women empowerment to women-led development. He expressed confidence that the 2026 batch would uphold the finest traditions of the service and contribute to a data-driven governance system focused on delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Saurabh Garg; Director General, Data Governance, P. R. Meshram; senior ministry officials and the officer trainees were present on the occasion.
