Revised Guidelines for Statistical Data Dissemination (GSDD)

The Gazette of India

CG-DL-E-07052026-272304

EXTRAORDINARY

PART I—Section 1

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 122] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026/VAISAKHA 16, 1948

MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 27th April, 2026

No. Y-18020/9/2017-IIIC/CAP(Part).—In line with the National Data Sharing and Accessibility
Policy (NDSAP) formulated by Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India in March 2012,
the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, notified the
Guidelines for Statistical Data Dissemination (GSDD) in 2019, to define shareable and non-shareable
statistical data generated by MoSPI and other statistical agencies, specify the terms and conditions for their
dissemination. Keeping in view technological advancements and the evolving practices of data
dissemination, GSDD 2019 has been reviewed and revised. Accordingly, in supersession of the GSDD
2019, MoSPI, Government of India, with an aim to provide seamless access to official statistics to all
stakeholders including government, semi-government, and private users while protecting data privacy as
per existing legal provisions in India, hereby notifies the revised GSDD, 2026 as per the details given in the
Schedule appended to this Notification. The revised guidelines shall come into force on the date of their
publication in the Official Gazette.

SCHEDULE
Revised Guidelines for Statistical Data Dissemination (GSDD)
(in accordance with NDSAP, 2012)

Background:

1. Official statistics are vital for decision-making, policy development, and research in both public
and private sectors. Recognizing the requirement and potential of effective dissemination of data to
stakeholders, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India
announced the National Policy on Dissemination of Statistical Data in May, 1999 to streamline the
statistical data dissemination system. Further, in March 2012, the Ministry of Science & Technology,
Government of India formulated the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) with an
objective to facilitate access to Government of India owned shareable data (along with its usage
information) in machine readable form through a wide area network all over the country. As per NDSAP,
Ministries/Departments are required to classify their different types of datasets generated both in geospatial
and non-spatial form in terms of ‘shareable data’ and ‘non-shareable data’, and come out with a pricing
policy of the data under restricted access. In accordance with NDSAP 2012, MoSPI, in 2019, laid down the
Guidelines for Statistical Data Dissemination (GSDD) to define shareable and non-shareable statistical data
generated by MoSPI and other statistical agencies, specify the terms and conditions for its dissemination
and pricing within the overall framework laid down in NDSAP, 2012.

Objective:

2. With the passage of time and technological advancements, the modes of data dissemination have
undergone major transformation requiring a modification of the existing guidelines. In the above backdrop,
the revised GSDD are being notified to provide seamless access of statistical data to all stakeholders
including Government, semi-Government, private data users, and promote data-driven decision making
while protecting the privacy as per prevalent legal provisions. The objective of these guidelines is to
facilitate easy access of official statistics to all the users while implementing the most fundamental
requirement for official statistics i.e. protecting confidentiality, and eventually leading to data-driven
governance and inclusive development of one and all as per prevalent legal provisions in India.

Scope:

3. These guidelines apply to all data collated, compiled and produced by the National Statistics Office
(NSO), MoSPI either directly or using data received from various Ministries, Departments, or
Organisations.

3.1 Words and expressions used in these guidelines and not defined but defined in the Collection of Statistics (CoS) Act, 2008, National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) 2012, Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and the rules framed thereunder shall have the same meanings as assigned to them in the said Act and Rules. These Guidelines shall further be read in
conjunction with, and subject to, all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and governmental
guidelines relating to confidentiality and data privacy, as in force from time to time in India.

Data Classification:

4. MoSPI collects, compiles and disseminates data on a number of sectors on a regular basis, besides
conducting a variety of large-scale surveys across the country and publishing their results. The data
classifications and list of sharable and non-sharable datasets are subject to modification by MoSPI from
time to time. All the data will be categorized as under:

A. Shareable data:

A.1 Datasets, which do not compromise national security, if made public, or those which do not
contain identification particulars of individual informants as well as establishments, would
generally be considered shareable.

A.2 All entities/users accessing registered/restricted datasets shall independently ensure
compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and Rules framed
thereunder for any further processing of personal data.

A.3 The shareable datasets are further categorized as follows:

A.3.1) Category A (open access data):

Aggregated/analyzed information and publications which will be shared free of cost with
users. This includes the following types of data, which is illustrative:

(i) Data relating to National Accounts
(ii)Consumer Price Index (CPI)
(iii) Index of Industrial Production (IIP) – at NIC 2-digit level
(iv) Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) Volume I
(v)ASI Summary Results for Factory Sector
(vi) Reports of Central Statistics
(vii) Reports/factsheets of National Sample Surveys (NSS).

A.3.2) Category B (Registered access data):

(i) This includes primary unit level data collected by MoSPI through surveys/censuses,
and item level data collected from secondary sources, after suppression or anonymisation
of the identification details of individuals/ households/ establishments. Such data can be
accessed by registration. This includes the following types of data:

(a) Unit level data of Economic Census
(b) Unit level NSS data
(c) Item level IIP data
(d) Urban Frame Survey (UFS) summary data with town-wise complete information
of Investigator Units, UFS block numbers, number of households, area type
along with metadata except for the areas for which field work of the UFS has
been carried out only with the specific permission from military/ para-military
authorities etc

(ii) The registered access data will be made available free of cost only for non-commercial
use including study/research purposes and use by the agencies of Government of India and
the Government of State/UTs.

(iii) For commercial use by individuals and entities (“Commercial use” refers to
utilization of data for activities primarily intended to generate profit, including but not
limited to the development, marketing, or sale of products, services, or reports derived
directly or indirectly from the data), the registered access data shall be priced in
accordance with the pricing policy as decided by MoSPI from time to time.

(iv) For foreign users (individuals and entities) to access data, they must be
associated/affiliated with an Institution or organization (e.g. university or a research
institution or other organization) that is officially recognized by the Government of India.

A.3.3) Category C (Restricted access data):

A.3.3.1 This includes the maps of UFS blocks, data of Statistical Business Register (SBR)
based on the Economic Census (containing identification particulars of
establishments/proprietors) and frame and panel data of Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).

A.3.3.2 Access to UFS Block Maps:

(i) These maps will be made available free of cost to Government Agencies (Central and
State) in India, subject to prior authorization.

(ii) For all other users, including for commercial and non-commercial purposes, the maps
shall be made available subject to prior authorization and shall be priced in accordance
with the pricing policy as decided by MoSPI from time to time

A.3.3.3 Access to Statistical Business Register (SBR) Data:

(i) This restricted data shall be available only to Government of India agencies and
State/UT Governments, subject to prior authorization.

(ii) It shall be provided free of cost for agencies of Government of India and the
Government of State/UTs.

(iii) It shall be non-shareable for Non-Government agencies.

A.3.3.4 Access to ASI Panel Data:

(i) ASI panel data will be made available from ASI 1998-99 onwards on request basis, free
of charge to Academic/Research Institutes, Universities and Other Non-Government
agencies for non-commercial purposes only and for use by agencies of Government of
India and the Government of State/UTs, subject to prior authorization.

(ii) For commercial use by individuals and entities, the Panel Data shall be made available
subject to prior authorization and shall be priced in accordance with the pricing policy
prescribed by MoSPI from time to time.

A.3.3.5 Access to ASI Frame:

(i) The restricted ASI frame particulars (viz. Name of the Unit, Address of the Unit, Place
of the Unit, State Code, State Name, District Code, District Name, Industry Code (4-digit
NIC), Total Persons Engaged) shall be available on request free of charge to Academic/Research Institutes, Universities and Other Non-Government agencies for noncommercial purposes only and to agencies of Government of India and the Government of
State/UTs, subject to prior authorization.

Academic/Research Institutes, Universities and Other Non-Government agencies for noncommercial purposes only and to agencies of Government of India and the Government of
State/UTs, subject to prior authorization.

A.3.3.6 Restricted access data will not be made available to foreign users (individuals and
entities), other than any such users as may be decided by MoSPI.

B. Non-Shareable data:

B.1 This includes all datasets which are outside the purview of shareable data. The nonsharable data will comprise of the Negative List (as specified under the provisions of NDSAP,
2012). These include but not limited to the following:

B.1.1 The UFS data or maps of areas for which the field work of UFS was carried out
only with the specific permission from security agencies, etc.

B.1.2 Data sets containing identification particulars of individual
informants/establishments. Some examples in this category are identification particulars of
informants/establishments in unit level data of IIP, ASI and NSO sample surveys; and data
on prices collected from different shops of various rural and urban markets selected for
preparation of CPI.

B.1.3 Any data which can be directly or indirectly used to reveal the identity or
information of individual informant.

B.1.4 Intermediate worksheets on data scrutiny & tabulation etc., for preparation of
results / technical documents of NSO.

B.1.5 CAPEX Survey unit level data.

B.1.6 Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) frame data.

Dissemination:

5. Dissemination of shareable data will be guided by a set of internationally accepted principles of
openness, equitableness, flexibility, transparency, legal conformity, quality, security, accountability, etc.
and will be implemented without infringing the principles laid down in the Right to Information (RTI) Act,
2005. Further, keeping citizens’ requirement as the focus, the following guidelines are laid down to ensure
easy, user friendly and timely dissemination:

5.1 Access to all shareable data will be made available through the MoSPI’s website and
microdata portal.

5.2 All shareable data will be presented in a clear and understandable form and metadata will
be made available in standard format.

5.3 Calendar of release of data will be made available in advance on MoSPI’s website.

5.4 Changes in dissemination schedule, if any, will be publicly announced in advance.

5.5 All data transfers will be made by using adequate security protocols to protect user privacy

5.6 The data dissemination authority of MoSPI will adopt best anonymization technique to
remove identifiable information, in compliance with DPDP Act, 2023 and Rules framed
thereunder, and any other applicable privacy laws, prior to sharing data.

5.7 How to Access Data:

5.7.1 Access to data under Category A: Visit MoSPI’s website
(https://www.mospi.gov.in) to explore Category A (open access) data of MoSPI, available
free without registration.

5.7.2 Access to data under Category B: Access to data under Category B shall be
provided through MoSPI’s microdata portal (https://microdata.gov.in/).

5.7.2.1 Non-commercial use: One-time registration on MoSPI’s official
Microdata portal (https://microdata.gov.in/) is required. Upon registration, the
Application for Registered Access Data (Annex-I) is to be completed and
submitted via the online portal. Users can also refer to User Manual to Download
Microdata, available on the portal for reference. The application also provides a
Data Access Agreement/Undertaking which is to be complied with to protect data
privacy and security.

5.7.2.2 Commercial use: Entities and individuals intending to use data for
commercial purposes must register on Microdata Portal (https://microdata.gov.in/).
Users must submit a detailed proposal specifying the intended use of the data
(demonstrating a legitimate business need) along with the specific datasets
requested and the confidentiality safeguards in place, along with a Data Access
Agreement/Undertaking, as per Annex-I. All entities and individuals must submit
the undertaking affirming compliance with prescribed data protection standards.
Access to be provided through Microdata Portal with payment of charges as per
the pricing policy as decided by MoSPI from time to time.

5.7.3 Access to data under Category C: All applications for accessing shareable data
under Category ‘C’ must be submitted to:

5.7.3.1 Access to UFS Block Maps:
Field Operations Division,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),
Sankhiyiki Bhawan, GPOA Building at CBD Shahdara, Near Karkardooma
Court, Delhi-110032,
Tel: 011-22388155,
Email: adg.fodhq@mospi.gov.in.

5.7.3.2 Access to Statistical Business Register (SBR) Data:
Economics Statistics Division,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),
Khurshid Lal Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110001;
Tel: 011-23455115;
Email: adg-esd@mospi.gov.in

5.7.3.3 Access to ASI Panel Data:
Data Informatics & Innovation Division,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),
East Block-10, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066
Email: webunit.diid@mospi.gov.in

5.7.3.4 Access to ASI Frame:
Enterprise Survey Division,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),
1, Council House Street, Kolkata – 700001
Email: cdn-csoisw@nic.in

5.7.4 Application Process:

5.7.4.1 For Government of India and State/UT Agencies: Submit the application
as per Annex-I. Approval is subject to authorization by MoSPI.

5.7.4.2 For others including those requiring data access for commercial use:
Submit the application as per Annex-I. Access will be provided after authorization
by MoSPI and payment of applicable charges as per the pricing policy, as decided
by MoSPI from time to time.

5.8 Multiple options for downloading the data file in popular formats (.csv, .xlsx, .dbf and database
formats, etc.) along with its metadata will be made available.

5.9 Availability of revised final data along with specific reason for the revision should be expressly
communicated in the website.

Review of the Guidelines:

6. Users are encouraged to submit feedback for improvements in data dissemination via MoSPI
website (https://mospi.gov.in/feedback) or at email: gsdd-cicd@mospi.gov.in. These guidelines will be
periodically reviewed by MoSPI, duly considering users feedback.

Monitoring & implementation:

7. An oversight committee will be constituted for facilitating the implementation of the policy and its provisions thereof.

SUPREET SINGH GULATI, Jt. Secy

1 Category C (i.e. Restricted access data) is not available to foreign individuals/entities.

Data Access Agreement/Undertaking

I/We [Full Name/Organization Name], hereby solemnly undertake and agree to comply with the
following terms and conditions for accessing and using the requested data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)

1. Access to requested data shall be limited to the applicant, and in case of application made on behalf of
an organization, to the authorized personnel in the organization, except in the case of academic
institutions. The data shall not be shared with any individual or organization without prior approval
from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). In case of academic
institutions, the data can be shared with researchers/students of the institution for academic purposes,
subject to the maintenance of confidentiality of the data.

2. The data shall be used only for the stated purpose(s) and not for illegal purposes. Data obtained for
non-commercial use shall not be used for commercial purposes.

3. No attempt shall be made to directly or indirectly identify any individual person, family, business,
enterprise, etc. If such a unique disclosure occurs inadvertently, the identification shall not be revealed
to anyone nor any use shall be made of the identity of any person/ entity discovered, and full details in
such cases shall be reported to MoSPI immediately.

4. The applicant shall implement adequate security measures (e.g., password protection, secure storage,
etc.) to prevent unauthorized access to data acquired. Any possible unauthorized disclosure shall be
immediately reported to MoSPI.

5. All individuals who have access to the data shall be made aware of the required security requirements
and procedures.

6. The use of data must be consistent with the provisions of Collection of Statistics (CoS) Act, 2008,
National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) 2012, Digital Personal Data Protection
(DPDP) Act, 2023 and other prevalent confidentiality & data privacy rules/ policies/ guidelines of the
Government and laws of the country, as amended from time to time.

7. Any books, articles, papers, theses, reports, publications, etc. that employ data obtained under this
request, shall cite the data source in accordance with the established norms/ practices.

8. MoSPI shall bear no responsibility for use of the data or for any interpretation based on it.

9. Any additional requirements notified by MoSPI regarding data access and use shall be complied with.

10. Any wrongful use of data, including unauthorized access, disclosure, or commercial misuse that
compromises confidentiality, shall be subject to penal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,
the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other
applicable laws including debarment/blacklisting from future access to MoSPI data.

11. MoSPI reserves the right to suspend or revoke access to data in case of any breach of these terms. The
applicant shall provide necessary assistance to MoSPI to investigate any alleged or actual breach of
these terms and conditions within timelines as may be decided by MoSPI.

12. The applicant shall indemnify MoSPI against any loss or damage arising from misuse of the data.

13. This Undertaking shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Law of the Land and the
Courts at New Delhi shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising out of or in connection
with this undertaking.

14. I/We hereby certify that all information provided is complete, accurate, and correct, and any changes
shall be reported to MoSPI immediately.

15. In signing this Undertaking, I/We understand and acknowledge any false information furnished or
violation of these terms may result in legal and administrative action, including restrictions on data
access as per policy or any other action as applicable under the rules/ policies/ guidelines of the
Government and laws of the country.

Applicant Signature: _______________________
Name (in Block Letters): ____________________

Designation (if applicable): __________________
Organization (if applicable): _________________

Place: __________________
Date: __________________

Submission Instructions: Submit the completed form via:

Download PDF click here

• MoSPI’s official Microdata portal (https://microdata.gov.in/) for access to Category B data after
registration

• For access to Category C data:
o To Field Operations Division, MoSPI, Sankhiyiki Bhawan, GPOA Building at CBD Shahdara,
Near Karkardooma Court, Delhi-110032, email: adg.fodhq@mospi.gov.in for access to UFS
Block Maps data,
o To Economics Statistics Division, MoSPI, Khurshid Lal Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi –
110001, Tel: 011-23455115, Email: adg-esd@mospi.gov.in for access to Statistical Business
Register (SBR) Data
o To Data Informatics & Innovation Division, MoSPI, East Block-10, R. K. Puram, New Delhi –
110066, Email: webunit.diid@mospi.gov.in for access to ASI Panel Data
o To Enterprise Survey Division, MoSPI, 1, Council House Street, Kolkata – 700001, Email:
cdn-csoisw@nic.in for access to ASI Frame

• Or as directed by MoSPI guidelines from time to time.

Note: The personal data collected through the above application form will be used only for verification,
communication, authorization, etc. in accordance with DPDP Act, 2023 and Rules framed thereunder.

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