National Statistics Day [29 June]: Theme, Significance

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jun 7, 2023, 10:49

National Statistics Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of statistician P.C. Mahalanobis, on 29 June every year. This day is celebrated to highlight the contribution of Indian statisticians and popularize statistics as a field of study. National Statistics Day was first celebrated in 2007 in India.

Numerous seminars, programs, and campaigns are organized on 29 June to commemorate the birthday of P.C. Mahalanobis. In this article, we have shared all the details about National Statistics Day, its theme, history, and significance.

National Statistics Day 2023

National Statistics Day is an occasion to remember the contributions of the eminent Indian statistician, P.C. Mahalanobis. The celebrations for the day are sponsored by the government of India to promote statistics as a subject and highlight its importance. Statistics Day in India is celebrated by conducting seminars, conferences, and other interactive events.

Day	National Statistics Day
Celebrated	29 June (every year)
National Statistics Day 2023 Theme	To be announced
Established	2007 (in India)
Objective	To commemorate the birth anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis, a great Indian statistician

National Statistics Day 2023 Theme

Every year a new National Statistics Day theme is announced by the government of India. This day is celebrated all across the country to pay respect to the great Indian statistician, P.C. Mahalanobis. National Statistics Theme 2023 is yet to be announced.

As per the previous year’s trends, this year’s theme for National Statistics Day is also likely to revolve around data and sustainability. All the activities that take place on the day revolve around the theme of the year.

National Statistics Day Theme (2007–2023)

A new theme is announced every year on Statistics Day in India. We have shared all the old National Statistics Day themes from the years 2009 to 2023 in the table below.

Year	National Statistics Day Theme
2023	To be announced
2022	“Data for Sustainable Development”
2021	"Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-2 (End Hunger, Achieve Food Security, Improve Nutrition, and Promote Sustainable Agriculture)"
2020	"SDG3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all of all ages) & SDG-5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls)."
2019	"Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"
2018	"Quality Assurance in Official Statistics"
2017	“Administrative Statistics”
2016	"Agriculture and Farmers Welfare"
2015	"Better data, better lives"
2014	"Services Sector Statistics"
2013	“Labour and Employment Statistics"
2012	"Industrial Statistics"
2011	"Gender Statistics"
2010	"Child Statistics"
2009	"Social Development"

National Statistics Day in India

Statistics Day is a global event focused on celebrating the complex subject. This day is celebrated on different days around the world. On a global level, World Statistics Day is organized by the UN Statistical Commission. Here, we have shared a comparison between World Statistics Day and National Statistics Day.

National Statistics Day (India)	World Statistics Day
It is celebrated on 29 June every year.	It is celebrated on 20 October every five years.
This day is celebrated on a national level.	This day is celebrated on an international level.
The Government of India created National Statistics Day to mark the birth anniversary of one of the greatest Indian statisticians, P.C. Mahalanobis.	The United Nations Statistical Commission established World Statistics Day to celebrate statistics.

Statistics Day History

The first National Statistics Day was commemorated in 2007 in India. Following that event, a proclamation was released in the Indian Gazette on 5 June 2007. Since then, seminars, conferences, discussions, and contests have been conducted on Statistics Day to raise awareness of the role of official statistics in nationwide progress.

Here are some important details about the history of National Statistics Day in India.

The government selected the birth date of P.C. Mahalanobis as the day for celebrating statistics.
The aim of National Statistics Day is to pay tribute to legendary Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis for his contribution to economic planning for India.

About P.C. Mahalanobis

Notable statistician Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis was from Calcutta.
He invented the revolutionary concept of Mahalanobis distance.
He played an influential role in developing India's industrialization plan in the Second Five-Year Plan too.
He also established the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta in 1931.
To honor his exemplary efforts, the birth anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis is observed as National Statistics Day in India every year.

Why is National Statistics Day Celebrated?

We observe P.C. Mahalanobis’ birth anniversary as National Statistics Day to pay tribute to the maestro for his noteworthy contribution to the economic advancement of the country. On Statistics Day, the youngsters of the present generation are also encouraged to learn statistics as they serve as the epitome of building socio-economic growth.

Mahalanobis made a significant contribution to economic planning during the post-independence era to assist the country in sustaining sustainable economic goals.
The celebration of National Statistics Day aims to educate people on the importance of knowing the basics of statistics as it plays a major role in our daily lives.

How is National Statistics Day Celebrated?

Every year on National Statistics Day, the government and other private organizations host events that pay tribute to P.C. Mahalanobis. To organize the annual events, an annual National Statistics Day theme is also announced. Here are some ways in which this day is celebrated in India.

In 2020, the celebration of Statistics Day was virtual due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The video conference was broadcast from the NITI Aayog in Delhi.
Rao Inderjit Singh, Hon'ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and Ministry of Planning, was the Chief Guest of the virtual event.
The winners of the Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis national award in official statistics and the Prof. C.R. Rao national award for young statisticians were announced.

National Statistics Day Significance

The celebration of National Statistics Day holds great significance. It inspires the youth minds to learn statistics and to employ the same in different matters on a daily basis. The celebration of Statistics Day in India is also crucial to pay tribute to the legendary statistician Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis.

Celebrating National Statistics Day encourages individuals to learn and comprehend how statistics may be used to assist in developing and outlining the country's policies.

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FAQs on National Statistics Day

Q1. When is National Statistics Day celebrated?

National Statistics Day is observed on 29 June every year in India. This day commemorates the birth of the legendary Indian statistician, P.C. Mahalanobis. Every year on National Statistics Day, the government of India conducts several activities, seminars, etc. to mark the day.

Q2. What is the theme of National Statistics Day 2023?

The National Statistics Day 2023 theme is yet to be announced. Every year, the government of India announces a new theme on National Statistics Day. The celebrations for the day are organized around the country based on the theme.

Q3. When was the first National Statistics Day celebrated?

The first National Statistics Day was celebrated in 2007 in India. It was announced by the government of India through the release of a proclamation in the Indian Gazette on 5 June 2007. Since then, this day has been celebrated every year across the country.

Q4. Whose birthday is celebrated as National Statistics Day in India?

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis’s birthday is celebrated as National Statistics Day in India. To honor the great contribution of Mahalanobis in statistics and Indian financial planning, the government of India announced his birthday as National Statistics Day in 2007.

Q5. What was the theme of National Statistics Day 2022?

The theme of National Statistics Day 2022 was “Data for Sustainable Development”. The theme of National Statistics Day 2022 explored the intersection between data and sustainability. Several seminars and conferences were organized on this day.

Q6. Why is National Statistics Day observed in India?

National Statistics Day is observed on the birth anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis to popularise statistics as a field of study. In addition, National Statistics Day also promotes awareness of statistics among people and encourages them to use them.

Q7. Who is the father of Indian statistics?

Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis is regarded as the father of Indian statistics. He contributed greatly to the development of India through his statistical studies. To honor him and his contribution, his birth anniversary, 29 June, is celebrated as National Statistics Day in India every year.