https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Surjit S. Bhalla Appointed Head of Expert Panel for India’s First Nationwide Household Income Survey

Dr. Surjit S. Bhalla, former Executive Director at the IMF, has been appointed to lead the Technical Expert Group overseeing India's inaugural nationwide Household Income Survey, set for 2026.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a significant move to enhance India’s economic data infrastructure, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has appointed economist Dr. Surjit S. Bhalla as the chairperson of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) overseeing the country’s inaugural nationwide Household Income Survey, scheduled for 2026. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of income distribution across Indian households, filling a critical data gap that can influence policy formulation and socioeconomic planning.

About Dr. Surjit S. Bhalla
Dr. Surjit S. Bhalla is an esteemed Indian economist, author, and columnist with a distinguished career spanning academia, international financial institutions, and Indian economic policy-making. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University, a Master in Public and International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.

Dr. Bhalla has served in various capacities, including as the Executive Director for India at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), representing India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. He has also been a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and has held leadership roles in several government committees, such as the High-Level Advisory Group on Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and the Fifteenth Finance Commission of India.

The Technical Expert Group (TEG)
The TEG, under Dr. Bhalla’s leadership, comprises a distinguished panel of economists and statisticians from premier institutions. The group is tasked with guiding the National Statistics Office in conducting a nationwide income distribution survey, tentatively scheduled for 2026. The expert group will provide guidance on the finalization of concepts and definitions, preparation of the survey method and instruments, sampling design, and method of estimation, incorporating best practices as adopted across the world.

Significance of the Survey
India’s first full-scale household income distribution survey aims to address the data reliability issues that have hindered past attempts. The survey will strive to assess the impact of technology adoption on household income (wages) and provide a comprehensive understanding of income distribution across Indian households.

This initiative represents a significant step toward improving the accuracy of income-related statistics in the country, offering valuable insights for addressing income inequality and supporting targeted government programs.

Looking Ahead
The successful implementation of this survey is expected to provide policymakers with robust data to design more effective and targeted economic policies. By accurately capturing income distribution patterns, the government can better address disparities and promote inclusive growth.

Dr. Bhalla’s extensive experience in economic policy and statistical analysis positions him well to lead this critical initiative. His leadership is anticipated to steer the TEG towards achieving a comprehensive and reliable income distribution survey, marking a milestone in India’s statistical capabilities.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
14th commercial coal-mine auctions
India Powers Ahead: Ministry of Coal Launches 14th Commercial Coal Mine Auctions via KOYLA SHAKTI & CLAMP Portals
Red Sander Benefit Sharing Scheme
Historic First! ₹55 Lakh Released to Tamil Nadu Farmers under Red Sander Benefit Sharing Scheme
India Maritime Week 2025
India Maritime Week 2025 Sets Sail for 2047 — Green Ports and Global Partnerships Take Center Stage
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Punjab Govt Transfers 17 IFS/PFS Officers in Major Forest Dept Reshuffle, Basanta Raj Kumar Appointed As Chief Wildlife Warden - Full List Here
unmanned Kiran
Historic Take-Off! HAL’s Unmanned Kiran Completes Maiden Flight Under CATS Programme
QMF seeker technology
How DRDO’s QMF Seeker Technology Is Revolutionizing Missile Accuracy and India’s Defence Self-Reliance
Scorpène
India’s Underwater Powerplay: MDL and Naval Group Partner for Next-Gen Scorpene Subs
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Transfers 9 IAS Officers; Shyamal Misra & J. Ganesan Take Key Roles, Amar Deep Singh Appointed Registrar, Cooperative Societies
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
14th commercial coal-mine auctions
India Powers Ahead: Ministry of Coal Launches 14th Commercial Coal Mine Auctions via KOYLA SHAKTI & CLAMP Portals
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-27 at 16.50
The Glorious Century – UPSC’s Journey from Empire to Excellence
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT