India is preparing to launch its first-ever comprehensive Household Income Survey in 2026, marking a pivotal moment in its statistical history. The move, announced by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality and range of data available for policymaking. While the Census 2027 and the newly introduced monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey represent key reforms, the income survey is particularly significant given its focus on one of the most elusive variables in India’s data landscape—household income.
The income survey aims to provide a credible and detailed picture of income distribution across Indian households, an area previously underserved by official statistics. The survey will also assess how technology adoption is influencing wage levels, a timely inclusion amid rapid digital transformation across sectors. A technical expert group will guide MoSPI on survey design, estimation methods, and global best practices.
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Need of a household income survey
The case for such a survey is compelling. India’s economic structure has undergone profound shifts over the past seven decades, but the absence of credible income data has hindered the formulation of targeted welfare policies. Previous attempts to capture household income data were either experimental or stalled due to inconsistencies. Notably, income estimates have historically failed to reconcile with data on consumption and savings—raising questions about reliability.
Earlier efforts date back to the 1950s, when income data was collected on an experimental basis as part of the Consumer Expenditure Survey. Further trials were carried out in the 1960s and 1980s, but none matured into a full-fledged national survey. Despite multiple attempts, the lack of reliable reporting—driven in part by informal income flows, seasonal variation, and poor documentation—prevented meaningful policy use.
This sixth attempt, however, arrives with more optimism.
Reasons for optimism
Several developments lend credibility to this renewed push. The National Sample Survey (NSS) has made significant strides in filling data gaps across key socio-economic sectors. MoSPI has expanded its portfolio with a mix of regular and ad hoc surveys that inform critical macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, the Consumer Price Index, and the Index of Industrial Production. It has also conducted annual surveys on unincorporated enterprises, the service sector, private capital expenditure intentions, and domestic tourism.
According to MoSPI’s latest figures, India’s per capita gross national income for 2024–25 stood at Rs 2.31 lakh in current prices—an increase of 8.7% from the previous year. However, these topline numbers obscure the disparities in how income is earned and distributed across different population groups and geographies. The new survey is expected to provide granular insights that can underpin more inclusive economic planning.
Bridging gaps in statistical system
The shortcomings of existing surveys have been well documented. While the Consumer Expenditure Survey offers insights into consumption, it does not capture income in any comprehensive manner. The newly introduced monthly PLFS includes questions on non-wage income sources like rent, pension, interest, and remittances. But so far, findings on household incomes remain unpublished.
The 2026 Household Income Survey will attempt to bridge this gap by addressing long-standing methodological challenges. The TEG will advise on all key aspects—from conceptual clarity and sampling design to estimation techniques and dissemination of results. This structured approach is expected to yield a dataset robust enough to guide policy at both national and state levels.
Charting a new path
India’s effort to modernise its statistical architecture is timely. As policy increasingly hinges on evidence-based approaches, data quality and granularity become critical. Income inequality, regional disparities, and the role of informal employment in income generation are all issues that require better measurement tools. If successful, the 2026 survey could serve as a cornerstone for economic policymaking in the coming decade.
Much will depend on the survey’s execution—particularly its ability to capture the heterogeneity of India’s informal sector, seasonal livelihoods, and gendered patterns of income. But if the gaps that derailed previous attempts are addressed, the exercise could finally provide policymakers with the reliable income data they have long lacked.