For years now, capturing accurate income data has been a challenge owing to resistance from citizens and general gaps in methodology.
That will change next year. A national daily has confirmed that the first-ever pan-India National Household Income Survey (NHIS) will launch in February 2026. Results are expected by mid-2027. MoSPI secretary Saurabh Garg was quoted as saying it could be one of the ministry’s toughest surveys.
He remained realistic about the survey, admitting that success would depend on public awareness and trust.
Garg said income surveys are among the hardest globally. He noted India tried three times before but had to pull back. He expressed hope for the new survey but said outcomes could not be predicted.
He added that both foreign countries and private agencies in India conduct such surveys. All efforts, he said, require strong rapport-building and careful effort.
Household income surveys are difficult. People hesitate to reveal earnings from multiple sources. India’s first attempts were in the 1950s, collecting income as part of consumer expenditure surveys. Attempts continued in the 1960s under the Integrated Household Survey. These trials were stopped because income estimates were lower than the sum of consumption and savings. Another effort in the 1980s explored feasibility but did not lead to a national survey.
MoSPI’s pre-test in August showed challenges. Seventy-three per cent of respondents found the questionnaire relevant. Eighty-four per cent understood the survey’s purpose partially or well. But 95 per cent said the information was sensitive. The same share felt uncomfortable disclosing income from different sources. Most refused to answer questions on income tax paid.
The MoSPI report of October 13 reportedly said awareness, trust, and myth-busting were essential. Garg said strong communication and guarantees of anonymity were critical. He stressed contacting households in advance at the local level. He said these measures would form the survey’s standard operating procedure.
MoSPI set up a Technical Expert Group (TEG) chaired by Surjit S Bhalla, former executive director of India at the IMF. The group will supervise the survey and guide finalizing and releasing results.
When the media outlet asked whether results would be released regardless of outcomes, Garg refused to speculate.
According to the report, he said the expert group would decide whether the survey would be pilot, regular, or experimental. He stressed that credibility would be ensured before publication. He referenced the 2017-18 Consumer Expenditure Survey, which MoSPI did not release due to data quality issues.
Latest data shows India’s per capita gross national income in 2024-25 was Rs 2.31 lakh. This is up 8.7 per cent from 2023-24.
The NHIS comes amid a surge in MoSPI surveys for various ministries. In June, the ministry said NHIS findings were “vital” and there was an urgent need to understand structural changes in the Indian economy over 75 years.
