India secured memberships to two influential United Nations committees on data and statistics, a significant step forward in the country’s role in international data governance. The country will now play a crucial role in developing tools and strategies that national statistical offices across the world can adopt.
After a prolonged gap, India has gained a seat at the United Nations Statistical Council. It has also been selected for the UN-CEBD (UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics).
Through these appointments, India will actively contribute to establishing norms for utilizing big data and AI technologies. This includes outlining best practices and new methodologies for measuring key indicators of rural development, trade, economic growth, and sustainability. Furthermore, the country will help create globally harmonized models for geospatial data, environmental-economic accounting, and demographic statistics.
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India plans to showcase its innovative initiatives, such as the Data Innovation Lab, which explores using satellite imagery and machine learning for policymaking. The country’s involvement in these panels highlights its expertise in data and technology and its commitment to improving data collection methods and accessibility.
The international recognition also comes at a time when the country has been enhancing its own statistical systems. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, led by Saurabh Garg, has been driving changes to regulate data across ministries and states. This will ensure that India’s data is reliable, consistent, and comparable to international standards.
These domestic reforms, along with India’s nomination at a global scale, have positioned the country as a leader in renewing the future of data science.