Indian Official Statistics Conclave on Theoretical and Empirical Issues (OCTEI 2026) inaugurated at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata

Kolkata, November 3, 2026

The Sampling & Official Statistics Unit (SOSU) of the Indian Statistical Institute is organising a two-day Conclave on November 3 and 4, 2026 on “Indian Official Statistics Conclave on Theoretical and Empirical Issues (OCTEI 2026)”. The inaugural programme was held today,  at the Platinum Jubilee Auditorium of the Institute with the gracious presence of Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and former Director and Vice-Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Professor S. Mahendra Dev, as the Chief Guest.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Professor S. Mahendra Dev said, “Today, the system is going through a major renewal in data sources, frequency, granularity, and technology. But the reforms will only be as good as the methods beneath them and the trust they command." He, in fact,  delivered the Keynote Address to the participants. He also emphasized the need for research on official statistics to address various aspects (including change of base year in index number computations, district domestic product computations etc.).

Director, ISI, Prof. Amartya Kumar Dutta, delivered his Welcome Address highlighting the activities of the Institute especially in Sampling & Official Statistics Unit. He said, this Institute is re-imagining the Renaissance and contributing to nation building. Director, CTRPFP and RBI Chair Professor of Economics, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta and a renowned Policy Researcher, Prof. Saibal Kar, graced the programme as a dignitary on the occasion and Vice-Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Belur Math, and an eminent educationist, Swami Sarvottamanandaji Maharaj, graced as a Distinguished Guest. Both of them emphasized the need for a database for policy making and the use of modern technology for the purpose (including AI etc.). Former Director, IIM Calcutta, Chairperson, National Statistical Commission, Govt. of India; Professor Saibal Chattopadhyay, former Chairman of NSC and former Director, ISI, Professor (Retd.) Bimal Roy also delivered their lectures followed by the next session of the inauguration.

The Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Prof. Debashis Paul, delivered the introductory address and Professor Sandip Mitra delivered the vote of thanks.

Looking ahead to Day 2, the schedule will open with Session III covering Indian Official Statistics issues, chaired by Chairman, Governing Body of BIS and former Professor, Department of Statistics and Information Management, RBI, Professor S.P. Mukherjee, with a keynote by Retd. Director, CSO, MoSPI, GOI, Dr. G.C. Manna, and addresses by IIS (Retd.) Shri Onkar Prasad Ghosh, IIS (Retd.) Shri P.C. Mohanan, and IIS (Retd.) Dr. C.P. Vinod Kumar. This will be followed by Session IV on Official Data Analytics for Policy, chaired by JAT, IIM Calcutta, Shri Sibsankar Chatterji, featuring a keynote by Professor Pulak Ghosh (IIM Bangalore) and speaker sessions by Dr. Uttam Kumar Paul and Lead Economist in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice, World Bank, Dr. Hinaish Green.

Day 2 will conclude with a high-level panel discussion on Agricultural Research chaired by ADG, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, Shri Janakiramrao R. Regoti, featuring expert insights from panelists DDG, NITI Aayog, Ms. Radhika R. Ashwin; Executive Director, LEAD, Ms. Sharvari Butola; and Dr. Swarn Bhattacharjee. 
 

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SSS/RP/Kol/3.11.26....