Census data, National Crime Records, road accident statistics—just a few examples of the union govt data that’s unavailable.
It’s a brand new year, but we’re still asking the same question: Where is the data?
Remember back in 2020, when the government claimed it had no data on how many migrant workers died while trying to get home during the lockdown? Or the next year, when the Modi government said it had no data on how many people died from a lack of oxygen during the second wave?
By the end of 2024, there was no government data on at least 16 critical issues, and 9 important Union ministry annual reports have not been released yet…and some of them for several years now.
But this isn’t just about the missing data—it shows a bigger pattern. While the government publicly dismisses global rankings and indices. An investigation by The Reporters’ Collective reveals that the Indian government has been actively trying to influence these rankings, almost 30 of them.
Look, data is essential for any government. It helps identify what’s working and what’s not, and helps them make informed decisions. But over the last decade, we've seen this government’s reluctance to share data. And it’s not a glitch—it’s part of a calculated strategy. And this matters because it affects all of us directly.
Let me break it down for you…..
Whether it’s tracking electoral bonds or digging into government data on key issues like health and education, our reporters are committed to cutting through the noise and uncovering the real story. We too could’ve taken the short-cuts like many other news outlets and just published the official handouts, but that only benefits those in power, not you. This year, stand with us so we continue standing up for you.
I already told you about the no-data-syndrome in the past years. And this report by Indiaspend has shown how nothing much has changed on this front.
16 crucial data sets are not made available by the Union government. This includes Census data, Crime numbers, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, Survey on Higher Education and certification of cause of death.
Interestingly, many of these datasets are not available for not just one year, but for two or more. For example, the last available NCRB data is from 2022. Releasing this data is key to spotting crime trends, holding authorities accountable, and shaping better public safety policies.
Then there is the cause of death certification which is from 2020. The certification of cause of death records provides detailed information on the reasons behind deaths, broken down by age and gender. This is essential for public health planning and tracking mortality trends.
And the biggest issue– the census has not been conducted since 2011. We all know the 2021 census was delayed because of the pandemic, but it’s been 4 years since, and we still don’t have a clear reason for the delay. The lack of this data also impacts other crucial stats like poverty and employment rates.
It’s not just the missing datasets; many ministries also haven’t released their annual reports.These reports cover the ministry’s activities, policies, and programs.
IndiaSpend reviewed that at least 9 ministries have delayed their reports, with the Law & Justice ministry having the longest delay—the last report available is from 2017.
Other ministries with delays include AYUSH, Civil Aviation, Defence, and Railways.
Now, what happens if these datasets are delayed? The absence of important datasets affects the policy implementation. How do we make things better, when we don’t know what we lack?
Look, we have been through a major pandemic, and the figures after that are crucial to make major health decisions. And how do we improve the education system when even basic survey data is not available? Without the census, how do we frame policies on poverty, employment, affirmative action and so on?
On the other hand, this investigation has revealed that the Indian government has been trying to influence global rankings. like the Global Hunger Index. Why? To improve the country’s image.
An investigation by The Reporters’ Collective says this isn’t just a one-off effort—it’s reportedly part of a larger plan to monitor 30 global indices and reach out to their publishers whenever India doesn’t rank well.
This involves at least 19 ministries which are tasked with tracking indices related to hunger, health, education, press freedom, and democracy. They’ve also roped in a Gujarat-based IT firm—the same firm that’s been linked to BJP’s online reputation management campaigns.
The government has been working to influence global rankings, even reaching out to publishers through Indian embassies.
When India ranked low on the Hunger Index in 2019, the government pushed back, and senior officials quickly contacted the publishers, demanding changes.
Now, it isn't just global rankings that the Indian government seems disturbed by. Back in July 2023, the Union government suspended KS James, the director of IIPS–it handles things like the NFHS and other critical data-related exercises for the government. An official had revealed that the government wasn’t happy with some of the data IIPS had presented. This included findings that contradicted big claims made by the Modi government.
So why this resistance to data? Some experts believe the government might be holding back on data that could hurt them politically. If the government were to release figures, it would invite questions, criticism, and accountability for the declining state of affairs.
But there’s more to it. The strategy of “no data” is about controlling the narrative. It’s about keeping the power to shape how today’s events will be framed in the future. Facts take a backseat, while the story becomes the focus.
For instance, consider the oxygen shortages during the second COVID wave. If no data is shared now, it leaves room for the narrative to be entirely rewritten later. A failure could be rebranded as a success.
But in the end, it's the citizens who suffer. Not only do we face the consequences of those in power failing us, but without data, we can't even ask for improvements. Withholding information leaves us powerless. The gap between what the government knows and what we’re allowed to know is growing fast, and this isn't by chance—it’s a deliberate strategy to keep us in the dark while those in power gain more control over our lives.
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