The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) SOUTH ASIA | India | Poverty and Equity Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2020 | Seq No: 1 | ARCHIVED on 31-Aug-2020 | ISR42233 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Republic of India Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 11-Mar-2020 Effectiveness Date: -- Planned Mid Term Review Date: -- Actual Mid-Term Review Date: Original Closing Date: 31-Mar-2025 Revised Closing Date: 31-Mar-2025 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) To improve the quality, efficiency and user relevance of statistics produced by the India Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Improving Survey Data Quality:(Cost $8.00 M) Making Most of Existing Data:(Cost $21.00 M) Enhancing User Relevance of Published Statistics:(Cost $0.80 M) Project Management Support:(Cost $0.20 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO -- Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) -- Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Risk Rating -- Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions The National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (NPIQSI) Project was approved by the World Bank Board of Directors on March 11, 2020. In mid-March, the COVID-19 crisis hit India and adversely impacted project implementation. The nation-wide lockdown and enforcement of social distancing measures, including mandatory work-from-home to curb the spread of the virus, has slowed down implementation and caused delays to project signing and effectiveness. Furthermore, changing budget priorities in favor of direct pandemic response efforts are posing significant financial challenges to this project. At present, the Project Management Unit (PMU) is working towards meeting the readiness conditions for loan signing. The procurement of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) was completed in March 2020 and the consultancy team has been assisting the PMU since. An Independent Verification Agency (IVA) has been nominated to oversee performance-based financing in the project, and MOSPI is awaiting internal clearances to award the contract. The tenders for hiring an HR agency and for procurement of tablets were floated on June 12, 2020 and June 22, 2020, 8/31/2020 Page 1 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) respectively. However, recently imposed government-wide budget restrictions have adversely impacted further progress. Discussions are being held with relevant authorities to resolve the issue as soon as possible. While the Project Management Unit (PMU) in MOSPI, assisted by a Project Management Consultant (PMC), is working towards meeting the loan signing condition, other divisions in MOSPI are working towards meeting the targets for FY 2020-21. Out of 17 indicators in the results framework, 13 have measurable targets in Year 1. All of these have annual targets, except for one i.e. the publication of the quarterly national factsheet. The Q1 factsheet (relating to quarter one of the current fiscal year of the Indian government, i.e. April – June 2020) was published on the MOSPI website on July 20, 2020. Currently, the project is on track to achieve all targets for this financial year, but uncertainty about availability of adequate budget could hamper further progress. The pandemic has affected several project results areas, especially those related to survey activities. All field-work including data collection for core surveys such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Consumer Price Index (CPI), the annual National Sample Survey (NSS) round and the Economic Census, which will provide key inputs for the Statistical Business Register, have been stalled indefinitely since mid-March in the wake of social distancing measures. If these restrictions continue for a prolonged period, significant challenges may ensue in achieving some of the survey-related project results. The Ministry, supported by the World Bank project team, is exploring ways to mitigate these challenges and respond to the crisis in the most effective and efficient ways. COVID-19 induced challenges are not unique to MOSPI. Similar issues are being faced by many international statistical agencies. Some have been able to overcome these challenges by adapting business processes and work programs. Therefore, the crisis is providing a unique opportunity for MOSPI to accelerate innovation and modernization efforts. The World Bank project team has organized multiple knowledge exchange sessions via video conferencing with other leading statistical agencies around the world. Three topics in particular have been covered in these sessions so far namely the Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS), Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI). Lockdown and social distancing measures have made face-to-face interviews and severely restricted price data collection. The only viable mode of data collection, at least in the short- to-medium term, will be computer-assisted telephonic interviewing (CATI) or computer-assisted web-interviewing (CAWI). To further explore the issue of CATI, a series of discussions were organized with International Labour Organization (ILO) and 3 countries that recently transitioned to CATI/CAWI system of data collection for labour statistics. Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Brazil, Statistics South Africa and Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ireland shared their experience of making this transition, challenges faced while doing so and solutions their teams came up with to address those challenges. In addition to this, a webinar was arranged with IMF and Statistics Canada to discuss the issue of increasing non-response in compiling IIP. One sub-component has made significant strides even during this time of crisis, namely Natural Capital Accounting (NCA). The MOSPI team, supported by the World Bank Environment team and an expert from the Environment Division, Statistics Canada, has prepared a detailed strategy document containing elaborate activity plans and estimated timelines for delivery. As elaborated in the strategy document, MOSPI has adopted the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) which comprises two parts – SEEA Central Framework and SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting. Since 2018, MOSPI has produced asset accounts in physical terms for water and minerals and physical extent accounts for land cover and forests; quality accounts for soil and water; and two ecosystem services – cropland ecosystem services and nature-based tourism services. Certain accounts (extent and condition accounts of croplands, forests and wetlands) produced by the team this year are being presented in the 'UNSD's Virtual Expert Forum on SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting 2020' being held on June 23, 2020. Additionally, this year MOSPI has collated data on 217 indicators from the 'Framework for Development on Environment Statistics (FDES) 2013' which were released as part of the publication 'EnviStats India 2020; Vol.1: Environment Statistics', on March 31, 2020. The main NCA activity envisaged under the project is the compilation of national level ecosystem accounts. The team is in the process of drafting RFPs to contract out district-wise study of ecosystem accounts that will help produce national level accounts. TORs for the study are based on the learning from the pilot study conducted in 8 districts of the State of Karnataka, conducted as a part of the EU-funded Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) Project. On 19th June 2020 a meeting of the core NCA project team was organized to share these achievements and discuss the way forward. One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the need for the NCA project team to extensively and proactively disseminate the statistics being produced. Subsequently, the World Bank team has also extended support to help the NCA team prepare and execute a communication strategy to disseminate the environmental statistics being produced by MOSPI in the most user-friendly way and having maximum outreach. In summary, despite significant delays in project signing and effectiveness and uncertainty about availability of counterpart funding, project implementation is on track to achieve year 1 targets. While the COVID-19 crisis has added to the implementation challenges of the project, the World Bank team is supporting MOSPI to respond to these challenges in the most effective and efficient way. World Bank support is not only limited to the project activities but also helping MOSPI deal with the unprecedented and unforeseen challenges created by the crisis which go beyond the scope of the project including organizing knowledge exchange opportunities with other leading international statistical institutes. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating 8/31/2020 Page 2 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Political and Governance Substantial -- Substantial Macroeconomic Low -- Low Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate -- Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial -- Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial -- Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary Moderate -- Moderate Environment and Social Low -- Low Stakeholders Low -- Low Other Low -- Low Overall Substantial -- Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improving Survey Data Quality IN00856257 ►NSO core surveys released according to the adopted Advance Release Calendar (Percentage, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 100.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 The target for Year 1 is to draft an ARC covering at minimum the fiscal year comprising all core statistics, including core surveys (and to be updated annually) and get is approved and released on MOSPI’s Comments: website. SCD, NSS is leading the implementation of this indicator and they are currently holding consultations with internal stakeholders to prepare the ARC. IN00856259 ►Share of core surveys using real time supervision (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 100.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Year 1 target is to prepare the protocol for conducting real time supervision of surveys. DQAD is leading the implementation of this indicator. They are currently conducting internal consultation to prepare the Comments: draft protocol. They are on track to achieve the Year 1 target. Making Most of Existing Data IN00856256 ►Indicators released quarterly from the National Factsheet (Number, Custom, PBC) 8/31/2020 Page 3 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 10.00 60.00 Date 31-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 The list of 10 factsheet indicators containing the data for Q1 (April, 2020 - June, 2020) of the current FY Comments: has been published on the MOSPI website on July 20, 2020. They are on track to meet the year 1 target. Enhancing User Relevance of Published Statistics IN00856258 ►Legacy survey data available for use in the on-line tabulation tool (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 10.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 This indicator does not have any targets for Year 1. DIID is leading the implementation of this indicator. They are currently working on developing the NIIP which is the platform on which the legacy survey data Comments: will be made available Year 3 onwards. Overall Comments PDO Though the Project is not yet effective, project activities have been ongoing since April, 2020. The respective Divisions at MOSPI are working towards achieving the results for the current FY i.e. 2020-21. While the year started on a slow pace due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Project has gained momentum again and is expected to achieve the Year 1 targets in a timely manner. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Improving Survey Data Quality IN00856260 ►Survey-related methodological studies released (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 8.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Year 1 target is to get the “Innovation Funds” approved and operational. In this case, the Funds will be considered operational when (i) it includes an appropriate selection procedure, and (ii) it has already started funding selected studies. DIID is taking lead on this indicator. They have already prepared a draft Comments: proposal and are awaiting approval from IFD for further processing. They are on track to achieving the Year 1 target. IN00856262 ►Share of outsourced investigators with certification (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 8/31/2020 Page 4 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Value 0.00 -- 0.00 90.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 There is no Year 1 target for this indicator. Comments: IN00856265 ►Core surveys implemented using a multi-modal data capture platform (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 75.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Due to the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing norms imposed thereafter, the field survey activities have been halted for the moment. The Ministry is trying to identify innovation ways in which they can collect data while minimizing personal contact and maintaining the requisite social distancing norms like conducting telephonic interviews. The Comments: World Bank team has organized multiple knowledge exchange sessions via video conference with leading international statistical agencies to enable MOSPI to exchange experiences and learn from other agencies which have recently transitioned from CAPI to CATI based data collection methods. IN00856267 ►Average time lag between end of fieldwork and public release of core survey data (Months, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 12.00 -- 12.00 5.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Due to the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing norms imposed thereafter, the field Comments: survey activities have been halted for the moment. Making Most of Existing Data IN00856261 ►Missing EDGE indicators reduced (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 13.00 -- 13.00 3.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 There is no target for Year 1 for this indicator. However, efforts are currently underway to examine the data set and methodology available in the various Ministries/Departments to identify the data sets for Comments: compilation of Missing EDGE indicators. IN00856263 ►National Factsheet indicators assessed using National Quality Assurance Framework (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 45.00 8/31/2020 Page 5 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 The Year 1 target is to prepare a customized NQAF. Currently, inputs are being obtained from the Comments: divisions to customise the UN NQAF 2019 manual and check list to the Indian Context. IN00856266 ►Integrated data processing system used for national accounts (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No -- No Yes Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 NAD is taking the lead in implementing this indicator. First round of consultations have completed, whereby Units provided information on inputs, processing and outputs, and the same has been shared Comments: with DIID. The integrated system will be a part of the NIIP being developed by DIID. IN00856268 ►Natural capital accounts produced (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 4.00 -- 4.00 12.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Two accounts - one on biodiversity and another on protected areas - are being compiled for inclusion in Comments: the publication to be released in September. IN00856269 ►Training gap reduced for MOSPI staff (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 100.00 -- 100.00 50.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Year 1 target is to conduct a TNA and sign an MoU with a leading international statistical agency. NSSTA plans to hire an external agency to conduct the TNA. A knowledge exchange visit was being organized between MOSPI and UK ONS in April, 2020 which was to culminate in a long term relationship between the two organizations formalized via an MoU. However, Comments: due to the COVID-19 pandemic all travel was suspended and the visit has been postponed indefinitely. Since then, a VC has been organized to discuss and share COVID-19 related experiences but the MoU dialogue needs to be re-activated soon. IN00856270 ►Beta statistics released (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 3.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 No target for Year 1. Comments: IN00856271 8/31/2020 Page 6 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) ►Data gaps in SDG indicators reduced (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 100.00 -- 100.00 0.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 The list of 100 SDG indicators is being reviewed and work is underway for preparing a strategy for reducing the datagaps, which might also involve methodological development in the case of certain Comments: indicators. IN00856272 ►Statistical business register updated with information from states (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 5.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Year 1 target is to develop a proof of concept for the SBR which is approved by MOSPI and the World Bank. The SBR has been envisioned as one of the key outcome of 7th Economic Census (EC). However, the field work for EC has been suspended due to COVID-19 crisis. Disruptions in the data collection schedule of the EC can have adverse impact on the SBR timelines as well. Necessary measures are being taken to Comments: start the field work in CVOID low risk areas of States/ UTs. In order to optimize time, in the meanwhile the team is attempting to harmonize the databases of Central Ministries /repositories such as Economic Census, Annual Survey of Industries, MCA‐21, GST, EPFO, ESIC, Udyog Aadhar (MSME) and list of establishments maintained under State Registering authorities etc. to explore which all data bases can be used for the purpose of creating an SBR. Enhancing User Relevance of Published Statistics IN00856264 ►Layers available for online mapping tool (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 20.00 Date 13-Mar-2020 -- 15-Jun-2020 31-Mar-2025 Year 1 target is to create a Geospatial unit or team within MOSPI with adequate hardware and software and with access to geospatial data. MOSPI has recently floated the tender to hire an HR agency to help them hire and manage the Comments: outsourced manpower requirement. The geo spatial team will also be hired through this HR agency. It is expected that the HR agency will be on board within the next quarter and the geospatial team will be in place soon after. Performance-Based Conditions IN00856273 8/31/2020 Page 7 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) ►PBC 1 Average time lag between end of fieldwork and public release of core survey data (Months, Outcome, 6.00, 20%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 12.00 -- 12.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856274 ►PBC 2 Survey-related methodological studies released (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 2.00, 6%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856275 ►PBC 3 NSO core surveys released according to the adopted Advance Release Calendar (Percentage, Outcome, 4.92, 16.5%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856276 ►PBC 4 Statistical business register updated with information from states (Number, Outcome, 9.00, 30%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856277 ►PBC 5 National Factsheet indicators assessed using National Quality Assurance Framework (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 2.50, 8%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- 8/31/2020 Page 8 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856278 ►PBC 6 Indicators released quarterly from the National Factsheet (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 1.25, 4%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 10.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856279 ►PBC 7 Beta statistics released (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 0.75, 2.5%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856280 ►PBC 8 Legacy survey data available for use in the on-line tabulation tool (Number, Outcome, 1.50, 5%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- IN00856281 ►PBC 9 Layers available for online mapping tool (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 1.99, 6%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) FY24/25 Value 0.00 -- 0.00 -- Date -- -- 15-Jun-2020 -- Data on Financial Performance 8/31/2020 Page 9 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed Not P169497 IBRD-90540 USD 30.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 0% Effective Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date Not P169497 IBRD-90540 11-Mar-2020 -- -- 31-Mar-2025 31-Mar-2025 Effective Cumulative Disbursements PBC Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % PBC ID PBC Type Description Coc PBC Amount Status Coc for PBC Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) 8/31/2020 Page 10 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report National Program for Improving the Quality of Statistics in India (P169497) There are no related projects. 8/31/2020 Page 11 of 11