Research Proposals

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation invites research proposals from eligible institutions on the subjects listed in the table below. Eligible institutions may submit their research proposals under the Grant-in-Aid component of the Ministry's Capacity Development Scheme, at the earliest. The guidelines about the Grant-in-Aid component of the Capacity Development Scheme are available at https://www.mospi.gov.in/grant-aid. The proposal may be submitted in the required format of the Scheme available in the website. The check list may be referred to ensure all required enclosures/documents attached with the proposal. The application/research proposal may be submitted to Additional Director General, Training Division, Central Statistical Organization, M/o Statistics and Programme Implementation (email: training-mospi@nic.in), with copy to the Ministry’s Research and Analysis Unit (email: ra.unit@mospi.gov.in).

S. no.	Topics for which research proposals are invited
Purpose: Improvement in IIP
1.	Assessing the Feasibility of use of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Data in Index of Industrial Production (IIP) compilation, factory selection, item basket selection for IIP and to enhance the data coverage of Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), which in turn will help augment the data frame for IIP.
Purpose: Expanding the coverage of the existing Environment Accounts being compiled by MoSPI
2.	To estimate the soil erosion prevention service provided by the Forest Ecosystem for two States of India. NSO, MoSPI in collaboration with Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) under Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Division of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has estimated the soil erosion prevention services by forests on a pilot basis for 2 districts of India using the RUSLE model. TOR: A study can be conducted to estimate the soil erosion prevention service of the Forest Ecosystem at a panIndia level (at a physical level). The study would explore the following scenarios which will be carried out for all States of India. Soil Erosion Prevention Service in different classes of forests Soil Erosion Prevention by Forests in comparison to croplands The specific TORs are as follows: To develop a comprehensive understanding of the soil erosion prevention services provided by the forests including the literature review and its relevance in the economy To estimate the two scenarios- soil erosion prevention services in different classes of forests and soil erosion prevention services provided by forests in comparison to the croplands in physical and monetary terms for a state on a pilot basis in consultations with the stakeholders clearly identifying the data availability. To assess the impact of changing forest patterns on the services provided by the forest ecosystem. To identify the data gaps and provide recommendations for improving data collection and management. To compile a report describing the detailed methodology, data sets, highlights, limitations and way forwards.
3.	Compilation of Ocean Ecosystem Accounts for a specified region. Recognizing the significant contribution of ocean and coastal resources to NSO, MoSPI initiated the process of development of Ocean Accounts Frameworks in alignment to the SEEA. An Expert Group has also been constituted for the same. For compilation of the accounts on the Ocean, it is important to have relevant data in appropriate formats. TOR: The main objective of the study is to try piloting ocean accounts for a particular region such as Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch etc. The study would essentially include the condition parameters for the oceans- ocean surface temperature. Having knowledge about the surface temperature of different ocean ecosystem viz. mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons etc. the health about the ocean sub-ecosystem can be known. The specific TORs for the study are: To develop a comprehensive understanding of the ocean ecosystems and its subecosystems To estimate the ocean surface temperature of the study area including the surface temperatures of the ocean subecosystems in consultations with the stakeholders clearly identifying the data availability To establish a methodology for showcasing the impact of changing ocean dynamics on ocean surface temperature To assess the impact of changing ocean surface temperature on various Ecosystems. To identify data gaps and provide recommendations for improving data collection and management. To compile a report describing the detailed methodology, data sets, highlights, limitations and way forwards.
4.	Carbon Storage in Oceans- To estimate the carbon stored in different subecosystem of the oceans. One of the condition parameters for the oceans is carbon storage in the ocean, which involves determining how much carbon is sequestered or stored within various components of marine ecosystems. Oceans play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This is accomplished through biological, chemical, and physical processes. TOR: A study can be conducted to estimate the carbon stored in different sub-ecosystem of the oceans. The specific TORs are as follows: To develop a comprehensive understanding of how carbon is stored in the oceans including the literature review and its relevance in the environment and climate change To estimate the carbon retention in the ocean in both physical and monetary terms. To assess the impact of changing carbon storage on the health and services provided by the ocean ecosystem. To identify the data gaps and provide recommendations for improving data collection and management To compile a report describing the detailed methodology, data sets, highlights, limitations and way forwards
5.	Urban ecosystem accounts- Exploring the compilation of some of the indicators of urban accounts using satellite data/geo spatial data. Urban ecosystems are cities and the surrounding, socio-ecological systems where most people live. Urbanisation has significant pressure on natural ecosystems which has triggered the need for innovative actions, research and policies to face existing and emergent societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. Urban ecosystem accounting has been identified as one of the priority areas in the "Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2022-2026”. Urban ecosystem accounts are frameworks used to quantify and track the flow of resources and the state of urban ecosystems, In line with strategy document SSD is initiating the work of development of urban ecosystem accounts. For compilation of accounts related to urban, Satellite data/geo spatial data plays a crucial role in urban ecosystem accounts by providing a comprehensive, accurate, and scalable way to monitor and assess various environmental and socio-economic aspects of urban area. TOR: A study may be conducted for exploring the compilation of some of the indicators of urban accounts using satellite data/geo spatial data. This may include checking of data availability, suggesting other indicators as per the spatial data availability, alternate data source related to following indicative components: Disaggregation the entire urban area and categorizes larger patches with common characteristics. For example, a classification of urban sub- types could break down the variety of built-up and semi-natural types within the city into contiguous areas with common shared characteristics (e.g., compact high-rise, compact low-rise, open low-rise, sparsely built, paved, semi-natural area, natural area). Identification & Data collection on individual asset types of urban area at as fine a scale as possible (e.g., lines of street trees, playgrounds, allotment gardens, green roofs, drainage and storage systems, etc.) based on available very high resolution (10 m or less) satellite imagery or other spatial data sets Following the disaggregation of urban area, Identification and collection of information on condition characteristics of urban area (e.g., percentage of impervious/pervious surfaces, air quality, water quality, soil contaminant concentrations) as measures of landscape-level characteristics of these subclasses. Quantifying ecosystem service in terms of volume and money value: Identification of urban ecosystem services and checking of availability of data for these ecosystem services, such as air purification, water regulation,carbon sequestration temperature moderation, and recreation, provided by urban ecosystems.
6.	Strengthening of National Indicator Framework (NIF) for SDGs by Identification of the SDG national indicators for the unaddressed targets Adaptation of SDG global indicators in Indian Context
7.	Use of Mobile data for Tourism statistics
8.	Use of Remote Sensing for estimation of cattle population
9.	Use of night light data for estimating economic development/ infrastructure development/ impact on job creation.
10.	The measurement of depletion of natural sources and hence adjustment of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to arrive at Net domestic Product (NDP). As per the recommendation of United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), emphasis will be given on usage of NDP to measure the economic growth alongside the GDP. The gross domestic product will be adjusted for both consumption of fixed capital and depletion of natural sources.
11.	Preparation of distribution accounts in terms of distribution of households over income and wealth using the existing survey results of NSSO and National Accounts Statistics.
12.	Exploring feasibility of use of data base created by researchers for evidencebased decision making in government.
13.	Time series analysis of the Data on National Income estimates since 1950- 51.
14.	Analysis of Housing Index Methodology across countries: To deep dive the housing index compilation procedure adopted by the BRICS nations, United States of America, United Kingdom etc. their current methodologies for compilation of the Housing Index may be studied and alternative approaches may be explored. Impact of COVID-19 on Housing Inflation: The long-term effects of the pandemic on housing inflation may be studied, particularly examining whether the index sufficiently captures post-pandemic market fluctuations. Alternate Methods for Compiling the Housing Index: Since base revision exercise of CPI is in process, it would be the apt time to explore new approaches for compilation of housing index to address the concerns of the users and to ensure the robustness and effectiveness of the Index.
15.	Cross-referencing the CPI estimates with Wholesales market Price It may also be explored that to what extent do wholesale market price changes explain variations in the CPI when controlling for external factors such as supply chain disruptions, taxes, and commodity price volatility.
16.	Land Inflation - A methodology for compilation of land index, collection of data, design of survey and its possibility in Indian context may be developed. The CPI is meant to reflect the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living for consumers. Since land price increases significantly affect housing affordability and, by extension, the overall cost of living, including land inflation in the CPI could provide a more accurate measure of how rising costs impact households
Purpose: Price collection from e-commerce platforms for International Comparison Programme
17.	Use of Scanner data for CPI and HCES
Purpose: Surveys
18.	Exploring alternative criteria for stratification used in sampling designs of the surveys of NSSO
19.	Study on the divergence in population estimates arising from the Census and NSS Survey.
20.	Simplification of extraction of unit level data of different surveys of MoSPI.
Purpose: Alternative Data Sources
21.	Identification of Avenues for Harnessing Administrative Data.
22.	Triangulation of Various New Data Sources viz. GST, E-commerce Sales Data, etc., with Conventional Data Sources.
23.	To access the value of official statistics in terms of the financial savings they generate.
24.	Bifurcation of B2C transactions in Transaction with Consumer households; and Transactions with non-registered suppliers from GST data and further devising a method to further bifurcate this transaction item-wise (as required for PFCE compilation)

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