INDIA FACING SHORTAGE OF STATISTICIANS

 

INDIA IS FACING A SHORTAGE OF STATISTICIANS

Statisticians play several important roles in these scientific studies. First, they plan the studies to ensure that the data are collected efficiently and answer the questions relevant to the investigation. Second, they analyze the data to discover what conclusions can be reached from the study and what issues need further investigation.

Best ISS coaching also elucidates that in industry, statisticians design and analyze experiments to improve the safety, reliability, and performance of products of all types, ranging from ballpoint pens to home appliances to automobiles. Other industrial settings include the food industry where statistics is used to design tastier, more attractive, and more nutritious products. Statisticians are also directly involved with quality control issues in manufacturing to ensure consistent product dependability.

Statisticians work with social scientists to survey attitudes and opinions. They explore differences in viewpoints and in opportunities for persons with varying cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds. In education, statisticians are involved with the assessment of educational aptitude and achievement and with experiments designed to measure the effectiveness of curricular innovations. In major hospitals, medical schools, and government agencies, statisticians study the control, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and other health abnormalities. They also investigate the efficiency of health delivery systems and practices. Statistical methods are also commonly used in business practice, e.g. to forecast demand for goods and services or to determine the most efficient method of operation. Within state and national government agencies, statisticians play a vital role in assessing employment levels and the needs of the population for health and social services. 

As you can see, statisticians and statistical methods play an important role in scientific studies to seek knowledge and to improve our lives. 

 

However, though we know the importance of statisticians, it is unfortunate that one in four posts of government statisticians are lying vacant, the government has told a parliamentary committee. The news comes amidst repeated criticism by analysts of the quality of official government data in recent months.

 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has told the parliamentary standing committee on finance that there are about 26% vacancies in the Indian statistical Services and Subordinate Statistical Service. According to the report of the committee released last week, the ministry told members of parliament that, “In the absence of regular field staff as per requirement, the sample surveys to be undertaken by NSSO will have to be conducted through Contract Employees, which may affect the quality of data collected.”

 

 

The NSSO, or the National Sample Survey Organisation, is an arm of the ministry that collects crucial survey data on the basis of which estimates of inequality and poverty for the country are derived. The NSSO survey data are relied upon by economists and analysts to assess the growth and well-being of the population, as well as trends in employment.

 

 The ministry went on to tell the committee that, “The vacancies in ISS (Indian Statistical Service) are primarily because the UPSC has not been able to meet the indent for direct recruits for ISS. To overcome the situation, the indent this year is 44, while 64 probationers are under training…In SSS, the vacancies are high mainly because of the high rate of resignation ……. promotion on ad hoc basis is being done from Subordinate Statistical Service to ISS.” According to the ministry, there are 1200 vacancies in the Subordinate Statistical Service or SSS.

 In recent months, the quality of some of the statistical data released by the government has been questioned. For instance, the growth index of industrial production, used by analysts as an indicator of near-term trends in industrial growth, had to be revised downward in January this year, following ‘incorrect reporting’. The volatility of the IIP data from one month to the next has also raised concern among economists and analysts.