AI must not compromise integrity of official statistics: P.K. Mishra

Published 29 June 2026 · india

Even as India moves towards AI-ready datasets, such data can become an asset to the country “only when backed by robust standards of quality, privacy

Even as India moves towards AI-ready datasets, such data can become an asset to the country “only when backed by robust standards of quality, privacy and transparency”, P.K. Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, said on Monday (June 29, 2026). Also read | 21st century should be a period of intellectual decolonisation: P.K. Mishra Speaking at the 20th Statistics Day on Monday (June 29, 2026), Mr. Mishra said that while Artificial Intelligence offers “transformative opportunities” for statistical analysis and policymaking, its adoption must be guided by strong governance frameworks to address issues of bias, accountability and explainability, “ensuring that technological innovation strengthens rather than compromises the integrity of official statistics”.

Datasets updated He also pointed to how India’s datasets, which had become outdated, had since been updated to provide a more robust reading of the economy. During his speech, Mr. Mishra acknowledged that, after decades of excellence, the statistical system had faced challenges relating to outdated datasets, delays in data dissemination, fragmented statistical architecture, uneven data quality, and declining professional capacity. “These concerns prompted a comprehensive reform exercise led by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) through extensive consultations with experts, key institutions and stakeholders,” Mr. Mishra said.

“Based on these deliberations, MoSPI accepted 216 recommendations for time-bound implementation under an institutional oversight mechanism.” He further highlighted that the reforms had already led to the introduction of new and user demand-based surveys, updating of macroeconomic indicators, improved data dissemination, and significant procedural and process-oriented reforms. Since February 2026, the government has released updated series of national accounts, the Index of Industrial Production, the Consumer Price Index, and the Wholesale Price Index, apart from introducing new indices — the Producer Price Index and the Index of Services Production.

In the context of India’s adoption of AI-ready datasets, Mr. Mishra said: “Administrative data can become a powerful national asset only when backed by robust standards of quality, privacy and transparency,” and stressed the need to preserve the credibility and independence of official statistics while embracing new data sources.