Since its inception in 1950, the National Sample Survey (NSS), conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has been undertaking large-scale household surveys on a wide range of socio-economic subjects. Over the decades, the NSS has become a cornerstone of official statistics, providing valuable inputs for evidence-based policymaking and capturing crucial dimensions of household consumption, employment, education, health, and other aspects of socio-economic development.

In continuation of this effort, the NSO proposes to conduct a Survey on Migration during the period July 2026 – June 2027. The survey aims to generate reliable estimates on migration rates, reasons for migration, short-term migration, and other related characteristics of households and individuals across the country.

Migration surveys have been conducted by the NSS since the 9th round (1955), with dedicated rounds such as the 18th (1963–64) and 64th (2007–08) collecting detailed information on various aspects of migration. More recent data on migration were collected through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020–21 and the Multiple Indicator Survey (2020–21).

The forthcoming Survey on Migration is expected to provide comprehensive and up-to-date data on the extent and patterns of migration—both rural–urban and inter-state—along with reasons for migration, duration of stay, return migration, employment and income profiles of migrants, and the impact of migration on households left behind. The results will be instrumental in understanding labour mobility, urbanisation trends, remittance flows, and the social and economic integration of migrant populations.

Such information will greatly benefit policymakers, planners, researchers, and development practitioners by enabling more targeted interventions in areas such as urban planning, housing, transportation, employment generation, social security, and skill development. The data will also help in assessing the implications of migration for inclusive growth and regional development, thereby strengthening India’s socio-economic policy framework.

To ensure the comprehensiveness and usefulness of the forthcoming Survey on Migration, the NSO has initiated the process of developing the survey instruments. The draft schedule has been uploaded on the MoSPI website (www.mospi.gov.in) for wider consultation. Policymakers, researchers, academic institutions, and the general public are invited to review the schedule and share their feedback or suggestions on its structure, content, and coverage.

Comments and suggestions may be sent in the prescribed format to the email addresses nssocpd.coord@mospi.gov.in and tc.sdrd-mospi[at]gov[dot]in by 30th November 2025. The draft questionnaire and feedback format can be accessed at the link provided on the MoSPI website.

Link 1: Concept Note along with Draft Schedule of Migration Survey

{https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/announcements/Concept%20Note%20along%20with%20draft%20schedule%20on%20Migration%20Survey.pdf}

Link 2: Feedback Form

https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/announcements/Feedback%20form_0.pdf

https://new.mospi.gov.in/publications-reports

 

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Samrat

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