India Expands Employment Survey to Rural Areas and Shifts to Calendar Year Reporting

In a significant move to enhance the accuracy and inclusivity of labour market statistics, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced major updates to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). For the first time since its inception, quarterly employment estimates will now include rural India, a step that promises to provide a more comprehensive view of the nation’s workforce.

Rural India to Feature in Quarterly Employment Estimates

Until now, PLFS quarterly reports have focused solely on urban areas. Beginning with the April–June 2025 period, rural employment data will be included in the quarterly reports. This change reflects the government’s recognition of rural India’s economic significance and aims to ensure better representation of the country’s diverse labour demographics.

The first quarterly report reflecting this rural inclusion will be made public in August 2025, marking a new era in employment data reporting.

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Adoption of Calendar Year for Annual Reporting

MoSPI has also revised the reference period for annual PLFS data. Moving away from the July–June cycle, the survey will now follow the calendar year format. This change aligns India’s employment reporting with global norms and facilitates easier comparisons with other socio-economic indicators that follow the calendar year.

Monthly PLFS Reports to Enhance Data Timeliness

Another noteworthy update is the introduction of monthly PLFS reports, aimed at providing quicker insights into labour market trends. The first monthly report, covering April 2025, is scheduled for release in May 2025. This step is expected to improve policy responsiveness by offering more real-time employment data.

Larger Sample Size for Greater Data Granularity

To improve the granularity and reliability of employment data, MoSPI will significantly increase the PLFS sample size. The number of surveyed households will grow from 1,02,400 to 2,72,304, allowing for district-level representation—a first in the survey’s history.

This expansion is designed to offer sharper insights into regional employment patterns, which will be especially useful for targeted policymaking and assessing the effectiveness of employment schemes at the grassroots level.

Conclusion

These sweeping changes to the PLFS framework reflect the government’s focus on data-driven governance. By increasing frequency, expanding rural coverage, and adopting a more standardised reporting period, MoSPI aims to make employment statistics more accessible, timely, and relevant to all stakeholders.

This transformation is expected to provide a more holistic picture of India’s labour market, bridging the information gap between rural and urban employment landscapes.

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