Unraveling the Multiple Indicator Survey

The Multiple Indicator Survey is an extensive research exercise undertaken by the NSSO to gather data on a multitude of indicators that reflect the living conditions and well-being of individuals, households, and communities across the country.

• The survey spans a broad array of subjects, including health, education, water and sanitation, nutrition, and child protection, to name a few.
• One of the primary objectives of the MIS is to gather information related to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators such as access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices.
• The data collected through the MIS helps in evaluating the progress made towards achieving the SDGs and identifying the challenges that need to be addressed.
• The survey aids in understanding the status and trends of various indicators, thereby enabling policymakers to make well-informed decisions and formulate effective strategies.
• Each round of the MIS covers a specific time period and geographic area, and the data collected is used to estimate important SDG indicators.
• Along with monitoring SDG indicators, the survey also includes questions related to specific areas of interest such as housing conditions, migration patterns, and other socio-economic factors.
• The data gathered through the MIS helps in identifying gaps and disparities in various sectors, thus assisting policymakers in designing targeted interventions and efficiently allocating resources.
• By providing evidence-based insights, the MIS plays a critical role in policy formulation and tracking progress towards sustainable development.
• Through the MIS, the NSSO aims to collect accurate and comprehensive data that accurately reflects the present circumstances and dynamics of the population under study.

Key Findings of the Multiple Indicator Survey 2020-21

• According to the survey, 95% of people in rural areas and 97.2% of people in urban areas had access to potable water in 2020-21.
• The survey revealed that improved sources of drinking water were available throughout the year within household premises for about 56.3% of the rural population and about 76.3% of the urban population.
• Access to latrines was available to 78.7% of the households in rural areas and 97.1% in urban areas.
• Hand washing facilities with soap/detergent were available within the premises to 77.4% of the persons in rural areas and 92.7% in urban areas.
• Exclusive access to improved latrines and hand washing facilities was available to 73.3% of the persons in rural areas and to 81.4% in urban areas.
• There was a significant disparity between rural and urban areas in the use of clean fuel as the primary source of energy for cooking. While 49.8% of households in rural areas reported access to clean fuel, the figure was much higher in urban areas at about 92.0%.
• As per the survey, clean fuel includes LPG, solar cookers, natural gas, biogas, and gobar gas.
• In the education sector, the survey found that 33% of persons in rural areas and about 39.4% of persons in urban areas of age 15-29 years were engaged in formal and non-formal education and training in the 12 months preceding the survey.
• Regarding financial inclusion, the survey found that 89.3% of persons in rural areas and about 89.6% in urban areas above the age of 18 had a bank account, either individually or jointly.
• The most cited reasons for migration were employment for males (38.7% in rural areas and 56.1% in urban areas) and marriage for females (93.4% in rural areas and 71.5% in urban areas).

In conclusion, the Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS) conducted by the NSSO provides a wealth of information on a range of indicators, thereby enabling the formulation of evidence-based policies and tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.