Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar appointed chairperson of NSCI

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Prof Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, retired professor at Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI), has been appointed as part-time chairperson of National Statistical Commission of India (NSCI) for three years.

Important facts

• Prof Karandikar joined CMI as a visiting professor in 2010 and was its director from January 2011 to April 2021.

• He is best known for his three decades of work on probability theory, as well as the applications of mathematics and statistics to the real world.

• He has designed, supervised and analysed nationwide opinion polls for Indian parliamentary elections as well as state legislatures since 1998.

• He was a member of the committee constituted by the Election Commission (EC) of India to advise the EC on the sampling scheme for EVM-VVPAT verification.

National Statistical Commission of India (NSCI)

• It was established in 2005 based on the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission.

• The commission was established through an executive order and it works under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

• The Rangarajan Commission recommended the establishment of a permanent National Commission on Statistics to serve as a nodal and empowered body for all core statistical activities of the country.

• The Commission consists of a part-time Chairperson, four part-time Members, an ex-officio Member and a secretary.

• Headquarters - New Delhi