Accurate data essential for effective governance: Vice President

New Delhi, Aug 18: “If the data is not correct, no decision can be correct,” Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday while interacting with the Officer Trainees of the 2026 batch of the Indian Statistical Service.
The Vice President congratulated them on joining the prestigious service and said the increasing representation of women reflects Bharat’s journey from women empowerment to women-led development.
Emphasising the crucial role of accurate and reliable data, C. P. Radhakrishnan said, “If the data is not correct, no decision can be correct.” He stressed that without reliable data, effective planning, resource allocation and implementation of government schemes would not be possible. Scarce resources could also be wasted if intended beneficiaries are not correctly identified. “Data must be gathered accurately and made available at the right time,” he said, cautioning that if foundational data is incorrect, identifying appropriate solutions to national challenges would become difficult.
The Vice President said official statistics are not merely numbers but instruments of governance that help the State understand where the country, its people and different sections of society stand. He emphasised that field experience, accurate data collection, proper maintenance and timely presentation of data are essential for effective implementation of government programmes. “The success or failure of a scheme depends significantly on the quality of data,” he said, underlining the important role of statisticians in ensuring that the intended benefits of government programmes reach eligible beneficiaries.
C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted the strengthening of India’s statistical and administrative data ecosystem, including digital databases, GST data and high-frequency economic information. Referring to the transformation in digital transactions, he said the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has contributed significantly to their expansion and helped reduce the parallel economy. He also highlighted the importance of appropriate base years for economic calculations and accurate measurement of the country’s real growth. At the same time, he stressed that economic indicators alone cannot capture the complete picture of human well-being, with parameters such as happiness and quality of life also being important.
Emphasising that “statistics derives its value from trust,” the Vice President urged the young officers to uphold professional and ethical integrity, political neutrality, confidentiality and impartiality. He said that efficiency and sincere discharge of responsibilities are the true forms of respect that officials can show to their seniors, rather than merely customary gestures. He called upon the officer trainees to cultivate a habit of continuous learning, gain from field experience and remain open to learning from seniors, colleagues and subordinates.
C. P. Radhakrishnan urged the young officers to remain curious, rigorous and open to innovation while never compromising on professional independence. He said “Data for Development” and data-driven decision-making will be crucial in building a robust statistical system for Viksit Bharat@2047. He expressed confidence that the 2026 batch would uphold the finest traditions of the Indian Statistical Service and contribute meaningfully to a data-driven system that delivers tangible benefits to the people.
Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Dr. Saurabh Garg; Director General, Data Governance, P. R. Meshram; senior Ministry officials and the Officer Trainees were present on the occasion.