National Statistics Day - 29th June

The Government of India decided to celebrate the 29th of June every year as National Statistics Day as recognition to Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis for his contribution in the fields of economic planning and statistical development in the post-independent era. 

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the theme and significance of this day and the contributions made by Prof. P.C Mahalanobis. It is also an important topic from the IAS Exam perspective. 

29th June – National Statistics Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

Significance of National Statistics Day

The National Statistics Day was celebrated for the first time in 2007 and the notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India on June 5, 2007. Ever since, on this day, seminars, discussions and competitions are held to highlight the importance of official statistics in national development. 

Discussed below are a few important pointers as to why National Statistics Day is celebrated:

• To popularise the use of Statistics in everyday life and sensitise the public as to how Statistics helps in shaping and framing policies
• This day marks the birth anniversary of Prof. P.C Mahalanobis whose contribution in the fields of statistics and economic planning are invaluable
• To raise public awareness, especially among the younger generation, about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning

The reports, programmes, implementation, monitoring etc. are all managed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 

National Statistics Day 2023

Discussed below are the key points based on National Statistics Day 2023:

• The theme of National Statistics Day 2023 is “Alignment of State Indicator Framework with National Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals”.
• The main event was organized at Scope Convention Centre, Scope Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
• The winners of the ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition, 2023’ for Post Graduate Students organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) were felicitated during the event.

Aspirants can read in detail about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the linked article.

Candidates preparing for the upcoming government exams can also refer to the following links for preparation:

About Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis

• Mahalanobis was born to a wealthy and academically-oriented Bengali family in Calcutta on June 29, 1893
• He did his graduation in Physics and later went to London for higher studies. He completed his Tripos in physics and discovered the efficacy of statistics in solving problems in anthropology and meteorology
• A few of his major contributions were:
  • Established a Statistical Laboratory in the Presidency College
  • Established the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta on December 17, 1931
  • He is remembered for the Mahalanobis Distance, which is denoted as D2. It is a multivariate distance measure that is used for comparing and grouping populations
  • His greatest contribution lay in the field of large-scale sample surveys
  • He was bestowed with multiple prizes and awards including the Weldon Memorial Prize (1944, Oxford University), Foreign Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1958), Srinivasa Ramanujan Gold Medal (1968), Durgaprasad Khaitan Gold Medal (1961), and the Padma Vibhushan (1968)

The Pioneer Indian statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis died on 28 June 1972 in Calcutta aged 78. To read in detail about the same, click here. 

29th June – National Statistics Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

To get the latest UPSC Syllabus for the Prelims and Mains examination, candidates can visit the linked article.