A Brief Note About the NSS Section, Its Functions and Responsibilities

The Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Meghalaya, Shillong, is the nodal agency of the State Statistical System. It is responsible for collecting, processing, and disseminating socio-economic data, which serve as critical inputs for planning and governance.

The NSS Section is one of the key units of DES, tasked with conducting socio-economic surveys under various National Sample Survey (NSS) programmes. Since the 27th Round (1972-73), the section has consistently implemented these surveys using the guidelines and methodologies prescribed by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India. In addition, the section also conducts central and state surveys such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Birth and Mortality Survey, and Family Budget Survey as required.

Past and Current Activities

DES Meghalaya first participated in the NSS in 1972 and has since taken part in 52 rounds up to the current 79th Round (2022–2023).

The ongoing 79th Round survey, conducted from July 2022 to June 2023, covers:

1. Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS)
2. Survey on AYUSH

Survey Period

The 79th Round survey spans one year (July 2022 – June 2023). CAMS and AYUSH are conducted simultaneously in the same First Stage Units (FSUs) but different households. For the first time, DES Meghalaya conducted the survey using tablets (CAPI) instead of paper schedules.

Objective of the Survey

1. CAMS: To generate socio-economic indicators not available from administrative data, and to monitor Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Indicators Generated:

• Mobile phone ownership by sex
• Population coverage by mobile network
• Households with a computer
• Internet usage (last 30 days, 3 months, 365 days)
• Formal financial institution account ownership (including women)
• Birth registration under age 5
• Access to safe drinking water and sanitation
• Access to public transport by proximity, sex, age
• Participation in education/training in past 12 months
• Youth (15–24) not in education, employment, or training
• Out-of-school rates and education enrolment rates
• Mean years of schooling
• Out-of-pocket expenditure on hospitalization

2. AYUSH Survey: First-ever dedicated national survey to assess awareness and usage of AYUSH systems.

Key Indicators:

• Awareness of AYUSH systems
• Hospitalization using AYUSH (last 365 days)
• Ailments treated via AYUSH
• Type of AYUSH systems used (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy, Homeopathy)
• Expenditure on AYUSH treatments
• Outpatient AYUSH usage
• AYUSH use during pre-natal and post-natal care

The NSS Section is also preparing tabulation reports for the 75th Round and continuing validation for the 76th Round. Validation software for the 77th Round is awaited from the Ministry.

Reports and Publications

1. Pooling Report – NSS 66th Round (2015)
2. Pooling Report – NSS 67th Round (2017)
3. Pooling Report – NSS 68th Round (2016)
4. Pooling Report – NSS 69th Round (2018)
5. Pooling Report – NSS 71st Round (2018)
6. Pooling Report – NSS 72nd Round (2020)
7. Pooling Report – NSS 73rd Round (2020)
8. Tabulation Report – NSS 72nd Round (2020)

Contact Information

Officer Incharge: Shri M.L.S.F Marwein, Deputy Director
Office: 0364-2504595
Mobile: 9612934341
Research Officer: Shri T.S. Khongsdam
Mobile: 9615165458