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PLFS to expand coverage of platform workers and unpaid work from January

The NSO plans a separate sampling stratum for digital platform workers and new questions on unpaid household work, caregiving and labour underutilisation in the PLFS from 2027

In-kind welfare transfers helped 220 mn in 2022-23; Bengal top beneficiary

An NSO study finds that in-kind welfare transfers helped 15.8 per cent of Indians move into higher consumption classes, with West Bengal recording the highest share among major states

India's unemployment rate remains stable at 5% in September: NSO data

India's unemployment rate remained stable at 5 per cent in September 2026, while urban unemployment edged up to 6.9 per cent, according to the NSO's Periodic Labour Force Survey.

Mind the gap

Travel survey underlines public-transport shortage

Fewer women commute to work, spend much less than men: NSO survey

Only 41.9 per cent of women workers commute 1 km or more for work, against 61.9 per cent of men, with the gender gap in commuting widest in rural India

Ten of 19 services sub-sectors post double-digit growth in July: NSO

Ten of 19 services sub-sectors posted double-digit growth in July, led by administrative and support services at 20.9 per cent, while two segments contracted

Why India travels

Policy needs to look beyond hotels and airports

Two in 5 overnight trips in rural India for medical care, shows data

Medical treatment accounts for 38.4% of rural overnight trips, with health journeys costing households far more than leisure travel

State of informal economy

District estimates reveal high concentration

Haryana tops states with seven most productive informal-sector districts

NSO's first district-level estimates show sharp geographic concentration in informal-sector productivity, while Telangana and the Northeast lead in women's participation

Govt floats experimental method to put a value on marine fish resources

NSO proposes valuing marine fish resources through expected future resource rents, with stock sustainability and asset life determining their monetary value

India's informal sector suffered sharpest contraction in Q1 FY27

Establishments and employment remained above year-ago levels but contracted sequentially, with rural India accounting for much of the decline in the June quarter

Services output growth cools in May as postal, broadcasting contract

NSO's trial services index shows fewer sectors posting double-digit growth, though accommodation, banking and retail continue to lead the expansion

India's female unemployment rate rises to 15-month high of 5.9% in June

India's female unemployment rate rises to a 15-month high of 5.9% in June, while overall unemployment stays at 5.5% amid mixed labour market trends

India's industrial output grows 4.9% in April under new base year series

India's industrial output rises 4.9% in April under new IIP series, driven by manufacturing and capital goods growth

India's retail Inflation at 3.48% in April on higher food prices

Retail inflation inched up to 3.48% in April as food prices rose further, while experts warned of indirect pressure from higher global energy costs and a potentially weak monsoon

Revamped survey looks to finally crack India's household income puzzle

India's first dedicated household income survey aims to fill a decades-old statistical gap, but experts warn that under-reporting, informal work and non-response could still distort the picture

NSO resets GSVA base year to 2022-23, seeks all-state and UTs adoption

The revised GSVA framework with 2022-23 as base year aims to improve accuracy, comparability and coverage of state-level economic estimates

Best of BS Opinion: FinMin offers sobering view of macroeconomic risks

From rising oil-linked risks and services data gaps to gold loan expansion and global capital flows, here are the key insights from Business Standard's Opinion page

Rural women dominate labour market, yet gender gap persists, says NSO

Unemployment remains most pronounced among youth