NEW DELHI, Aug 18: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday underlined the importance of dependable statistical information in shaping government policies, allocating resources efficiently and ensuring welfare programmes reach the people they are meant for.
Addressing officer trainees of the 2026 batch of the Indian Statistical Service at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, Radhakrishnan said sound decision-making depends fundamentally on the quality of information available to policymakers.
“If the data is not correct, no decision can be correct,” he said while interacting with 34 young officers, including 16 women.
Congratulating the trainees on entering the prestigious service, the Vice President said the growing participation of women reflects the country’s transition from women empowerment towards women-led development.
He said government planning, distribution of resources and implementation of welfare initiatives could be undermined when basic information is incomplete or inaccurate. Such shortcomings could also result in scarce public resources failing to reach eligible beneficiaries.
Radhakrishnan called for information to be collected carefully and made available at the appropriate time. He cautioned that errors at the foundational level could make it difficult for authorities to identify suitable responses to complex national challenges.
The Vice President described official statistics as more than numerical records, saying they serve as important instruments that enable the government to assess the conditions of the country and understand the needs of different sections of society.
He highlighted the significance of field-level experience, systematic data collection, proper record maintenance and timely reporting in ensuring that government programmes are implemented effectively.
According to Radhakrishnan, the outcome of a government scheme is closely linked to the reliability of the information used in its planning and execution. He therefore urged statisticians to ensure that public initiatives produce their intended results and that eligible citizens receive the benefits designed for them.
He also pointed to the expansion of India’s statistical and administrative information infrastructure, including digital databases, GST-related information and high-frequency economic data.
Referring to the rapid growth of digital transactions, Radhakrishnan credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with helping accelerate the country’s digital transformation and contributing to the reduction of the parallel economy.
The Vice President further stressed the need to use suitable base years while calculating economic indicators to ensure a realistic assessment of national growth. However, he noted that economic figures alone do not provide a complete measure of human well-being, with factors such as happiness and quality of life also deserving consideration.
Emphasising that statistics derive their credibility from public trust, Radhakrishnan asked the young officers to maintain high standards of ethics and professionalism. He underlined the importance of confidentiality, impartiality, political neutrality and independence in their official responsibilities.
He also advised the trainees to focus on efficient and sincere performance of their duties, rather than relying solely on conventional expressions of respect towards senior officials.
Encouraging them to develop a culture of continuous learning, Radhakrishnan said field exposure and interaction with colleagues, seniors and junior personnel can provide valuable insights. He urged the officers to remain curious, analytical and receptive to innovation while protecting their professional independence.
The Vice President said data-driven policymaking would have a significant role in India’s development journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047. He expressed confidence that the 2026 batch of the Indian Statistical Service would preserve the service’s professional standards and contribute to a stronger evidence-based governance system.
Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Dr Saurabh Garg, Director General, Data Governance, P R Meshram, and senior ministry officials were also present during the interaction.