National Statistics Day - 29 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

National Statistics Day is observed annually on 29 June to honour the contribution of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in statistics and economic planning.

An Overview of the News

• Professor Mahalanobis, known as the 'Father of Indian Statistics', developed the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure to assess the difference between a point and a distribution.

• Purpose: To create public awareness on the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for India's development.

• Designation: Recognized as a "Special Day" by the Government of India.

Statistics Day 2024

• Theme:"Use of data for decision-making"

• Significance: Highlights the importance of data-driven decision making for informed decisions and evidence-based policy formulation.

Main Event Details

• Location: Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi

• Chief Guest: Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission

• Key Speakers:

  • Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission (NSC)

  • Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI

• Participants: Senior officers from Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, representatives of international organizations (World Bank, UN agencies), and other stakeholders.

• Webcast/Live Stream: The programme was web-casted/live streamed through the social media handles of the Ministry.

Key Highlights

• Essay Writing Competition: Winners of the ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition, 2024’ for Postgraduate Students were felicitated.

• Report Releases:

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024

  • Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

• Portal Launch: e-Statistics Portal and Central Data Repository for Official Statistics containing time series data of important macro indicators and data asset catalogue of the Ministry were launched.

History of National Statistics Day

• The Government of India designated 29 June as National Statistics Day on 5 June 2007.

• The designation was given to acknowledge the significant contributions of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of statistics and economic planning.

• The first celebration of National Statistics Day took place on 29 June 2007.

• Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis was a prominent figure who played a key role in the first Planning Commission of India.

• He was instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931.

• The day is celebrated as a tribute to Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and his remarkable contribution in the field of statistics.

About Indian Statistical Institute

• Director - Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay

• Headquarters - Kolkata

• Establishment - 17 December 1931