MoSPI: City-Level Stats for 47 Million-Plus Cities

MoSPI plans city-level statistics for 47 million-plus cities

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Battle Brief

MoSPI has proposed dedicated city-level statistical reports for 47 million-plus cities listed in Census 2011. The reports will draw on existing PLFS and ASUSE data: one on the employment profile and one on unincorporated sector enterprises. Stakeholders may send comments until 15 May 2026.

Fact File

Cities: 47 million-plus cities (Census 2011)
Sources: PLFS and ASUSE
Report 1: Employment Profile (LFPR, WPR, Unemployment Rate)
Report 2: City-Level Profile of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises
Agency: NSO, MoSPI
Comments: by 15 May 2026

In the news

City-level statistical reports for million-plus cities: what happened?

Policy for big cities often uses State or district averages. City mayors and planners need labour and informal-enterprise numbers for their own city. MoSPI wants to fill that gap from surveys already in the field.

Aims: better urban statistics, city policy, city-level GDP work, and a clearer view of urban labour and enterprises.
Reports to be public in user-friendly formats.
Consultation paper is on the MoSPI website.

Back Story

What are PLFS and ASUSE?

Periodic Labour Force Survey: labour market indicators.
Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises: informal/unincorporated firms.

Why examiners care

Why does city-level statistical reports for million-plus cities matter?

Urban policy: City-specific labour and enterprise data.
Statistics: Brings cities into routine national survey products.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on city-level statistical reports for million-plus cities?

47 million-plus cities (Census 2011) proposed for city-level PLFS/ASUSE reports.
Comments due 15 May 2026.

How to use this in Mains

GS-I Urbanisation, problems and remedies

As per PIB (2026-04-24): moSPI proposed dedicated city-level statistical reports for 47 million-plus cities based on PLFS and other surveys.
Cities cannot plan well without city-level data, which is what this fills.

Quotable data point
MoSPI proposed dedicated city-level statistical reports for 47 million-plus cities based on PLFS and other surveys.
PIB: MoSPI: city-level statistics, 24 Apr 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

MoSPI's proposed city-level statistical reports for million-plus cities will draw mainly on

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (MoSPI), 24 April 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many cities will the MoSPI city-level reports cover?

47 million-plus cities as per Census 2011.

Which surveys will feed the reports?

PLFS for employment and ASUSE for unincorporated enterprises.

By when can stakeholders send comments?

15 May 2026.