New Delhi: India has achieved a significant milestone by joining the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics. This committee was established to explore the benefits and challenges of big data, particularly in monitoring and reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals.

India's inclusion in this expert committee comes at a crucial time, coinciding with its recent membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission after a significant gap. This development marks a major advancement for India's statistical ecosystem. As a member of the committee, India will help shape global standards and practices in the use of big data and data science for official statistical purposes. This achievement highlights India's rising stature in the global statistical community and its dedication to using data and technology for informed decision-making.

India’s participation in the committee will showcase its pioneering initiatives, such as the establishment of the Data Innovation Lab and the use of alternate data sources like satellite imagery and machine learning for policymaking. This opportunity places India as a key player in the field. Membership in the committee allows India to align its domestic progress in big data and data science with international objectives, demonstrating the country's capability to lead transformative initiatives in the data domain.

Big data and advanced data science techniques have the potential to transform the production and dissemination of official statistics. By incorporating non-traditional data sources such as IoT, satellite imagery, and private sector data streams, India aims to modernise its statistical processes, improve the accuracy of estimates, and ensure the timely availability of crucial data for policy formulation and governance.

This engagement will also support India's ongoing efforts to streamline statistical production, enhance decision-making with real-time insights, and foster international collaboration by sharing expertise and learning from global best practices. India's involvement in the Committee of Experts is a step towards revolutionising statistical production and dissemination, contributing to a more resilient and data-informed world. This recognition will strengthen India's ability to influence global statistical practices, reinforcing its commitment to data-driven progress and sustainable development.

BI Bureau