The history of NSS surveys can be divided into three phases:the formative years (1st to 10th round), the period of growth and consolidation (11th to 27th round) and the period after formation of NSSO (since 28th round). The 28th round of NSS (October 1973-June 1974) marks a significant watershed in the evolution of NSS as it introduced major changes in the design.

The basic design followed is stratified two-stage (for smaller villages / urban blocks) or three-stage (for larger villages/blocks involving hamlet group/sub-block formation). The primary stage unit (PSU) is Village (in rural areas) or Urban Frame Survey Block (in urban areas), but the ultimate stage unit (USU) is invariably household/enterprise for household/enterprise surveys. However most of the NSS surveys being multi-subject integrated ones, detail design varies from survey to survey.

(1) Recent Rounds:

(i) 79 Round of SE Surveys (July 2022 to June 2023) -NSS 79th round was earmarked for collection of data for compilation of a number of SDG indicators through a “Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS)” along with a survey on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa/Amchi and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The field work of the survey has been completed.

(ii) Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) (2022-24) - Information collected in the survey will be primarily used for preparation of weighting diagram through determination of budget shares of different commodity groups in total consumption for compilation of consumer price indices for rural and urban India. In addition, statistical indicators of level of living, social consumption and well-being, and inequalities therein will also be compiled from the data collected in the survey. The factsheet of first phase of HCES 2022-24 has been released. The field work of second phase of HCES 2022-24 has commenced from 25 August 2023 and is in progress.