The Seventh Economic Census (7th EC) marks an important initiative of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), carried out in 2019. This vital operation is conducted with the collaboration of CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a lean, focused entity operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Enabling the enumeration of all economic establishments within the country’s geographical bounds, the Economic Census augments our understanding of several operational and structural aspects of Indian establishments, along with yielding valuable data on economic activity distribution and ownership patterns.
Insight into the Implementing Agency: CSC e-Governance Services India Limited
CSC e-Governance Services India Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The agency has been entrusted with the responsibility of executing the 7th Economic Census. Serving as an active collaborator, this SPV ensures the smooth functioning of this massive nationwide exercise.
Purpose and Importance of Economic Census
The Economic Census is a comprehensive survey conducted to enumerate all economic establishments within the country’s geographical boundary. It plays a pivotal role in providing disaggregated information related to various operational and structural variables of all Indian establishments. Moreover, it furnishes insights into the geographical spread and clusters of economic activities, the pattern of ownership, and the number of individuals employed in all economic establishments throughout the country.
Historical Perspective of Economic Census
The inception of the Economic Census traces back to 1977 when the first iteration was undertaken. Following the initial success, the Second EC was conducted in 1980. Unfolding every decade, the Third EC happened in 1990. Quite recently, the Sixth edition of the Economic Census was rolled out in 2013, thereby setting the stage for the upcoming Seventh Economic Census in 2019.
Snapshot of Previous Census Results
| Economic Census | Year Conducted |
|---|---|
| First EC | 1977 |
| Second EC | 1980 |
| Third EC | 1990 |
| Sixth EC | 2013 |
The Seventh Economic Census (7th EC) & its significance
The 7th EC has been slated for the year 2019, undertaken by MoSPI. This census is considered crucial as it will shed light on the evolution and current state of economic establishments in the country, from their operational and structural dynamics to geographical distribution, ownership patterns, and workforce statistics. The insights drawn from this exercise will critically inform policy-making, shaping the future of India’s vast economic landscape.