The Government of India decided to celebrate National Statistics Day beginning in 2007. The day is observed annually on 29 June, the birth anniversary of Professor P. C. Mahalanobis. The observance aims to increase public awareness regarding the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation. It also recognizes the contribution of statisticians, researchers, survey personnel, and institutions involved in generating official statistics. Various activities are organized across the country, including: (a) Seminars and conferences (b) Student competitions (c ) Lectures and workshops (d) Statistical exhibitions (e ) Award ceremonies (f) Public awareness campaigns.
Every year, India celebrates National Statistics Day on 29 June to commemorate the birth anniversary of the eminent statistician and scientist Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, widely regarded as the Father of Modern Indian Statistics. The observance highlights the indispensable role of statistics in planning, governance, research, economic development, and informed decision-making. It also seeks to promote statistical literacy among citizens and encourage the use of data for solving contemporary challenges.
In an age driven by information, statistics has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for understanding the world. Governments, businesses, researchers, environmentalists, health professionals, and policymakers rely heavily on statistical methods to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. National Statistics Day therefore serves as a reminder that reliable statistics form the backbone of effective governance and sustainable development.
Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting numerical information. It enables researchers and decision-makers to draw meaningful conclusions from data and make informed choices under conditions of uncertainty.The term “statistics” is derived from the Latin word status and the Italian word statista, both associated with the affairs of the state. Initially, statistics was mainly used by governments to maintain records of population, taxation, land, agriculture, and trade. Over time, it evolved into a sophisticated scientific discipline with applications across virtually every field of human activity. Statistics can be broadly classified into two branches: 1. Descriptive Statistics – Concerned with summarizing and presenting data through averages, percentages, graphs, tables, and charts. 2. Inferential Statistics – Concerned with drawing conclusions about populations based on sample observations using probability theory. Today, statistics forms the foundation of data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, economic forecasting, and evidence-based policymaking. The roots of statistics can be traced back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome maintained records of population, agricultural production, taxation, and military resources. The first known censuses were conducted in ancient Egypt and China to estimate population and resources. During the Roman Empire, systematic population counts were undertaken for taxation and military purposes. The scientific development of statistics began in Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Important contributions were made by scholars such as: (a) John Graunt, who analyzed mortality records and laid the foundations of demographic statistics. (b) Sir William Petty, who promoted statistical methods in public administration. (c) Jakob Bernoulli, who contributed to probability theory. (d) Carl Friedrich Gauss, who developed the normal distribution and least squares method. (e) Ronald A. Fisher, considered one of the founders of modern statistical science.
The twentieth century witnessed unprecedented growth in statistical methods, leading to their widespread use in economics, agriculture, medicine, industry, and social sciences. Professor P. C. Mahalanobis and Indian Statistics: The development of statistics in India is inseparably linked with the remarkable contributions of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Born on 29 June 1893 in Kolkata, Mahalanobis was a distinguished scientist, statistician, planner, and institution builder.His major contributions include: (i) Establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931. (ii) Development of the famous Mahalanobis Distance, a statistical measure widely used in data analysis and machine learning. (iii) Introduction of large-scale sample survey techniques in India.(iv) Founding of the National Sample Survey (NSS) in 1950. (v) Significant contribution to India’s economic planning, particularly the Second Five-Year Plan.Mahalanobis recognized that accurate statistical information was essential for national development. His pioneering work laid the foundation of India’s modern statistical system and transformed the country’s approach to planning and policymaking. National Statistics Day is celebrated in his honour and recognition of his immense contribution to the nation.
Each year, National Statistics Day is celebrated with a specific theme focusing on a key aspect of statistics and data-driven governance. This year, theme is “Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data”, emphasizing the use of existing government records for evidence-based policymaking.The AmarnathYatra is a classic example of a large-scale pilgrimage management problem where statistics can support evidence-based decision-making. The major statistical challenges related to smooth conduct of the Yatra and environmental sustainability include: (A) Carrying capacity estimation: (i) Determine the maximum number of pilgrims per day without damaging the environment. (ii) Estimate route-wise capacity (Pahalgam and Baltal). (iii) Model camp-wise and cave-area capacity. Experts have repeatedly argued that carrying capacity should guide daily pilgrim limits. (B) Pilgrim flow forecasting: (i) Forecast daily arrivals using historical data, weather forecasts, holidays, and registration trends. (ii)Predict peak congestion periods. (iii)Queue and crowd management: Estimate waiting times.(iv) Optimize movement through bottlenecks using queueing models. (v) Prevent overcrowding at camps and the cave. (vi) Health risk modelling (vii) Predict cases of altitude sickness, dehydration, cardiac emergencies, and injuries.(vii) Allocate medical teams and ambulances based on expected demand. (viii) Disaster risk prediction (ix) Use weather, rainfall, landslide, and terrain data to estimate risk.
The Statistical challenges related to environmental issues include:(i) Waste generation modelling (ii) Estimate waste generated per pilgrim per day. (iii) Forecast total waste and optimize collection, segregation, and disposal. Waste management remains one of the major environmental concerns during the Yatra. (C) Water quality monitoring: (a) Monitor changes in pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, and microbial contamination in streams. (b) Detect pollution hotspots using statistical process control. (D) Environmental carrying capacity(i) Quantify the ecological threshold beyond which vegetation, glaciers, soil, and water resources are adversely affected.(ii) Estimate sustainable daily pilgrim limits. (E) Climate change assessment: (a) Analyse long-term trends in glacier retreat, snowfall, temperature, and rainfall. (b) Assess their relationship with pilgrimage intensity while accounting for broader climate drivers. (F) Biodiversity monitoring: (i) Estimate changes in alpine flora and fauna due to increased human activity. (ii) Develop biodiversity indices for periodic assessment. We can use Statistical methods such as Time series forecasting (ARIMA, SARIMA, Prophet), Regression analysis, Queueing theory, Simulation modelling,GIS and spatial statistics, Machine learning for risk prediction, Multicriteria decision analysis, Bayesian statistics, Carrying capacity models to handle AmarnathYatra smoothly. The broader purpose of the celebration remains: (i) Promoting statistical awareness.(ii) Strengthening data-driven governance. (iii) Encouraging research and innovation.(iv) Enhancing evidence-based policymaking.(v) Recognizing the contribution of official statistical systems.(vi) Inspiring young scholars to pursue careers in statistics and data science. As India progresses toward the vision of a developed nation, reliable statistics continue to play a crucial role in measuring growth, identifying challenges, and monitoring developmental outcomes.
“National Statistics Day 2026 honors the legacy of Professor P. C. Mahalanobis and highlights how vital statistics are to modern progress. It emphasizes that data acts as the foundational language for evidence-based decisions across critical sectors like healthcare, governance, and AI, driving sustainable national growth and societal welfare.”
The significance of statistics extends far beyond government offices and research laboratories. Its applications touch every aspect of modern life. For example, Statistics in Economics as Statistical tools are used to measure: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflation rates, Employment and unemployment, Poverty levels, Income distribution, International trade. Economic forecasting, budgeting, and policy evaluation are impossible without statistical analysis. Statistics Statistics in Agriculture as Agricultural scientists use statistics to:Design field experiments, Compare crop varieties, Assess fertilizer effectiveness, Estimate crop production, Monitor food security etc. India’s agricultural planning depends extensively on sample surveys and statistical estimates.Statistics in Forestry as Forestry research extensively uses statistical techniques for:Forest inventory and assessment, Estimation of timber volume, Biodiversity studies, Wildlife population estimation, Carbon sequestration measurement, Climate change assessment.Foresters employ sampling methods to evaluate forest resources and support sustainable management.
Statistics in Medicine and Public Health as Medical research depends heavily on statistics including: Clinical trials, Drug efficacy testing, Disease surveillance, Epidemiological studies, Public health planning. During pandemics and disease outbreaks, statistical models help predict disease spread and evaluate intervention strategies. Statistics in Education as Educational institutions use statistics to: Measure student performance, Evaluate educational programs, Conduct educational research, Assess literacy rates, Improve learning outcomes etc.Statistical analysis helps identify strengths and weaknesses within educational systems. Statistics in Business and Industry as Modern businesses use statistics for: Market research, Consumer behavior analysis, Quality control, Demand forecasting, Risk management, Financial planning etc.Companies increasingly rely on statistical techniques to gain competitive advantages in rapidly changing markets.Statistics in Environmental Studies as Environmental scientists use statistics to: Monitor pollution levels, Analyze climate change trends, Assess environmental impacts, Study biodiversity patterns, Evaluate conservation programs etc.Statistical models help predict future environmental conditions and guide sustainable development initiatives. Statistics in Social Sciences as Sociologists, political scientists, and psychologists use statistics to study: Human behaviour, Social change, Voting patterns, Public opinion, Social inequalities etc.Survey research and statistical analysis provide insights into societal trends and challenges.Statistics in Sports as Sports analytics has become a major field driven by statistics. Statistical methods are used to:Evaluate player performance, Develop team strategies, Predict outcomes, Enhance training programs etc.From cricket to football, statistics influences decision-making at every level of professional sports.
Statistics in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence as the digital revolution has elevated statistics to unprecedented importance.Modern applications include: Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Big data analytics, Predictive modeling, Recommendation systems, Cyber security.Algorithms powering search engines, social media platforms, and intelligent systems are fundamentally based on statistical principles.Statistics and Good Governance are related. Governments require reliable data to formulate effective policies and evaluate outcomes. Statistics assists in: Resource allocation, Development planning, Monitoring welfare schemes, Measuring socio-economic progress, Disaster management, Public service delivery.Evidence-based governance ensures that decisions are guided by facts rather than assumptions. Statistical systems therefore strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public administration. Despite technological advancements, several challenges remain: (i) Data quality and reliability (ii) Privacy and confidentiality concerns (iii) Data security (iv) Misinformation and misuse of statistics (v) Limited statistical literacy among the public. Addressing these challenges requires investment in statistical infrastructure, training, and ethical standards for data management.
Jammu and Kashmir has a rich legacy in the field of Statistics and has produced several distinguished statisticians who have earned recognition for their contributions to teaching, research, and the application of statistical science. Eminent personalities such as Prof. M. L. Tiku, Prof.HiraLal, M. Y. Bhat, Haji AltafHussain (ISS),Prof. G. H. Mir, Prof. Rahul Gupta, Prof. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Prof. S. A. Mir, Prof. Tariq Rashid, Prof.Ajaz, Prof. Manish Kumar, Syed AdilBukhari (ISS),Prof. Peer Bilal Ahmad, Prof. Sheikh Parvaiz Ahmad and have played an important role in advancing the discipline. Their work has enhanced the reputation of Jammu and Kashmir at both the national and international levels. Today, statisticians serving in universities, research institutions, and government departments across the Union Territory continue to make valuable contributions through quality research, evidence-based policymaking, and capacity building, thereby strengthening the role of statistics in education, governance, agriculture, health, and socio-economic development.
Based on publicly available records, the following major statistics-related academic programmes held in Jammu & Kashmir during 2025
Date Institution Programme Remarks
29 June 2025 Directorate of Economics & Statistics, J&K 19th National Statistics Day
Theme: 75 Years of National Sample Survey. Held simultaneously at Srinagar and Jammu.
30 June 2025 Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) National Statistics Day Workshop
Invited lecture by Prof.Shalab (IIT Kanpur): Journey of Statistics to Data Science.
1 July 2025
Department of Statistics, University of Kashmir Academic Outreach & Interactive Session
Introduced school students to applications of statistics and career opportunities.
25 September 2025
SKUAST-K, Faculty of Agriculture
One-Day National Conference-cum-Workshop: Role of AI in Data-Driven Informed Decision Making
Organized by Prof. (Dr.) Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Head, Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, in collaboration with JKSTIC to commemorate the 132th birth anniversary of P. C. Mahalanobis.
20 October 2025
Department of Statistics, University of Kashmir
World Statistics Day 2025
Theme: Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone.
24 October 2025 SKUAST-K, Faculty of Horticultu World Statistics Day 2025 Celebration
Organized by the Division of Agricultural Statistics with invited experts from NSO, SKIMS, Directorate of Economics & Statistics and academia.
29 October 2025 IUST
World Statistics Day 2025
Lectures by experts from AMU and government departments highlighting the importance of quality statistics
8–14 December 2025
University of Jammu
Workshop: SPSS Unplugged – AI Perspective in Data Analytics
Conducted by the College Development Council in collaboration with the Department of Statistics.
Observations
SKUAST-K was particularly active, organizing both:
a. National Conference-cum-Workshop on 25 September 2025, and
b. World Statistics Day celebration on 24 October 2025.
Among all programs , the 25 September 2025 National Conference at SKUAST-K stands out as the only publicly documented national conference dedicated specifically to statistics, AI, and data-driven decision-making in J&K during 2025
It is concluded that National Statistics Day 2026 is an occasion to recognize the transformative power of statistics in shaping modern society. From agriculture and forestry to healthcare, economics, governance, and artificial intelligence, statistics provides the evidence needed to make informed decisions and achieve sustainable development. The legacy of Professor P. C. Mahalanobis continues to inspire statisticians, researchers, policymakers, and students across the nation. On this National Statistics Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to scientific inquiry, evidence-based decision-making, and the responsible use of data for the welfare and progress of society. Statistics is not merely a collection of numbers; it is the language through which nations understand their present and plan their future.
(The author is Professor & Head (Agri. Econ & Statistics, FOA at S K University Of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Kashmir SKUAST-K, Srinagar, J&K. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
[email protected]
