Context
The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced that the next rounds of the All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS) and the Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households will be conducted during July 2026 – June 2027. These two flagship surveys are vital for understanding household finance and the economic well-being of agricultural households, providing crucial inputs for policy formulation.
All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS)
What it is
- India’s flagship household finance survey, covering debt, assets, and investments of rural and urban households.
Origin & Publisher
- Began as the All India Rural Credit Survey (1951–52).
- Expanded in 1961–62 to include investments and urban sector.
- Conducted by NSO (MoSPI).
Objectives
- Assess the extent and nature of household indebtedness.
- Measure asset ownership and distribution for national accounts.
- Provide inputs to RBI, MoSPI, and NITI Aayog for credit policy, financial inclusion, and inequality studies.
Key Features
- Decadal Survey: Last conducted in the 77th NSS Round (2019) on request of RBI.
- Coverage: Rural & urban households; includes institutional and non-institutional credit sources.
- Disaggregated Data: Available by state, sector, income group, and asset class.
- Policy Relevance: Used in framing financial literacy schemes, credit penetration policies, and asset creation programmes.
Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households
What it is
- A nationally representative survey evaluating the economic well-being of farmers and their households.
Origin & Publisher
- First conducted in 2003 under the NSS rounds.
- Expanded in 2013 and further strengthened in the 2019 round.
- Conducted by NSO (MoSPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW).
Objectives
- Assess income, expenditure, and debt profile of agricultural households.
- Track livelihood patterns, crop and livestock production, and access to government schemes and crop insurance.
- Provide insights for agriculture and rural development policies to promote inclusive growth.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes all agricultural households, even the landless engaged in farming.
- Data Collection: Land and livestock ownership, technology adoption, and market access.
- Credit & Insurance: Monitors access to institutional finance, crop loans, and insurance coverage.
- Policy Use: Data used by NITI Aayog, MoA&FW, research bodies, and banks for evidence-based policymaking.
Conclusion
The upcoming AIDIS and SAS surveys (2026–27) will generate robust, disaggregated data on household debt, asset distribution, and farm household conditions. Their findings will strengthen credit policy, financial inclusion strategies, and rural development programmes, ensuring policymaking that is data-driven, inclusive, and responsive to socio-economic realities.
Source : The Hindu
