The Economic Census (EC) is carried out throughout the country by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI), National Statistics Office, Govt. of India, in collaboration with all the States/Union Territories' DES. The 1st Economic Census was conducted in 1977, followed by those in 1980 (2nd), 1990 (3rd), 1998 (4th), 2005 (5th), and 2013 (6th).

Until the 6th Economic Census, the Ministry had fully entrusted State DES with responsibilities — including appointing Enumerators & Supervisors, conducting training, monitoring field work, handling honorarium payments, and publishing reports.

The 7th Economic Census began in 2019–2020, with the Ministry engaging the Common Service Centre (CSC), e-Governance Services India Ltd., for fieldwork and data collection using advanced ICT tools and geo-tagged mobile-based applications.

The aim of the Economic Census is a comprehensive enumeration of entrepreneurial activities across the State/Country at a given point in time. It provides the official count and characteristics of enterprises.

Coverage includes all economic activities in agriculture (excluding crop production & plantation) and non-agricultural sectors, except those engaged in public administration, defense, social security, domestic services, and illegal activities. The focus is on units engaged in production/distribution of goods and services not solely for own consumption.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Govt. of India, directed DES to provide full logistical and physical support to CSC for the 7th EC field operations. DES supported by:

• Providing an updated Local Government Directory (village list).
• Participating in training of Enumerators & Supervisors at state and district levels.
• Accompanying Enumerators during process checks and addressing field queries.
• Organizing coordination meetings between NSO and CSC through the State Level Operational Committee (SLOC).

Additionally, DES was provided a portal with user ID and password to monitor the Census fieldwork, which was actively utilized.

The 7th Economic Census was launched in Meghalaya on 22nd August 2019. Fieldwork was carried out by Enumerators & Supervisors engaged by CSC. Due to law & order issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection and first-level supervision concluded by March 2021.

As per Ministry guidelines:

• 8% of post-supervision (2nd level) was conducted by DES.
• 2% was handled by NSO (FoD).

DES engaged officials from all district offices for 2nd level supervision. Supervisors visited assigned fields based on enumerator dashboards provided by CSC’s Technical Support Group.

DES compiled a provisional report of the 7th EC, which has been uploaded on the Ministry’s website and forwarded to the Government of Meghalaya for further consideration.

Report on the Sixth Economic Census (13.1 MB)