Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) - NSS 78th Round [UPSC Notes]

In March 2023, the Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) – NSS 78th Round Report [2020-21] covering the entire country was released. In this article, you can read all about the NSS Survey, its objectives, and the important findings of the survey for the IAS exam.

Multiple Indicator Survey

The Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) is a type of survey conducted by organizations like the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) to collect data on various key indicators related to the well-being of individuals, households, and communities.

• MIS surveys cover a wide range of topics, including health, education, water and sanitation, nutrition, and child protection.
• The primary objective of the survey is to collect information related to certain important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators like drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, etc. 
• The objective of the MIS is to gather comprehensive data on these indicators to assess the progress and challenges in achieving sustainable development goals.
• The survey provides valuable insights into the status and trends of different indicators, allowing policymakers to make informed decisions and formulate effective strategies.
• MIS surveys are typically conducted periodically, with each round covering a specific timeframe and geographical area.
• The collected data from MIS surveys are used to develop estimates for important sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators, aligning with global targets.
• In addition to monitoring SDG indicators, MIS surveys often include questions related to specific topics of interest, such as housing, migration, and other socioeconomic factors.
• MIS data helps in identifying gaps and disparities in various sectors, enabling policymakers to design targeted interventions and allocate resources efficiently.
• The MIS plays a crucial role in evidence-based policy formulation and monitoring progress towards sustainable development.
• By conducting MIS surveys, organizations like NSSO aim to collect accurate and comprehensive data that reflects the current situation and dynamics of the surveyed population.

Multiple Indicator Survey 2020-21 Important Findings

• During 2020-21, according to the survey, 95% of people in rural areas and 97.2% of people in urban areas had access to potable water.
• Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) also found that there was sufficient availability of improved sources of drinking water throughout the year within household premises available to about 56.3 percent of the persons in the rural areas and about 76.3 percent of the persons in the urban areas.
• Accessibility to latrines was available to 78.7 per cent of the households in the rural areas and  97.1 per cent in the urban areas as per the report.
• Access to hand washing facilities with soap/detergent within the premises was available to 77.4 percent of the persons in the rural areas and 92.7 per cent in the urban areas.
• The survey also found that exclusive access to improved latrines and hand washing facilities was available to 73.3 percent of the persons in the rural areas and to 81.4 per cent in the urban areas among the persons reported about handwashing and latrine facilities.
• The divergence between rural and urban areas was stark in the category of usage of clean fuel as the primary source of energy for cooking where 49.8 percent of households in the rural areas and about 92.0 per cent of households in the urban areas reported access to clean fuel.
• According to a survey, clean fuel refers to LPG, solar cookers, natural gas, biogas and gobar gas.
• In terms of education, preceding the 12 months of the survey, 33 percent of persons in rural areas and about 39.4 percent of persons in urban areas of age 15-29 years were in formal and non-formal education and training.
• In the case of persons above the age of 18 having a bank account, both rural and urban areas were almost similar with 89.3 per cent in rural areas and about 89.6 per cent in urban areas having an account individually or jointly.
• Important reasons cited for migration were employment for males which was 38.7 per cent in rural areas and 56.1 per cent in urban areas and marriage for females which was 93.4 per cent in rural areas and 71.5 per cent in urban areas.

Conclusion: The Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) conducted by NSSO provides crucial insights into youth disengagement, education, housing, and other key indicators, enabling evidence-based policies and monitoring progress towards sustainable development goals.

Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) – NSS 78th Round:- Download PDF Here