SYLLABUS 

GS-1: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Context: 

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will commence a year-long nationwide migration survey from July 2026. 

About the National Migration Survey 

• Aim: To generate reliable estimates on migration rates, reasons for migration, short-term migration, and other related characteristics of households and individuals across the country.
• Definition of a Migrant: A person is considered a migrant if their current residence differs from their last usual place of residence.
• Geographical Coverage: The survey will cover almost the entire country except for Villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to accessibility challenges.
• Household Migration Data: Data on entire households migrating will not be collected, as such cases have been very rare historically.
• Short-Term Migration Criteria: A person will be treated as a short-term migrant if they stayed away from their usual residence for 15 days to six months in the past year for employment or job search.
• Expanded Survey’s Scope: New questions will assess migration’s impact, including changes in income, access to healthcare and basic services, living conditions, and plans to migrate further.

Evolution of Migration Surveys in India

Migration-related statistics in India commenced under the National Sample Survey (NSS) from the 1950s, with notable dedicated migration rounds during the 18th (1963-64) and 64th (2007-08) surveys.

Since 2008, migration data has been limited to occasional inclusions in broader surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2020-21) and Multiple Indicator Survey (2020-21).

• India’s overall migration rate stands at 28.9%.
• Female migration is substantially higher than male migration nationwide.
• Rural migration shows a stark gender gap: 48% for women and 5.9% for men.
• Urban migration also reflects higher female movement: 47.8% and 22.5% for men.

The 2026 survey marks a significant update, incorporating new migration realities and methodological improvements post-pandemic.

Significance of the Migration Survey 

• The survey will help policymakers design targeted interventions in urban planning, housing, transportation, employment generation, social security, and skill development.
• The survey will be instrumental in understanding labour mobility, urbanisation trends, remittance flows, and the social and economic integration of migrant populations.
• It will help in assessing the implications of migration for inclusive growth and regional development, thereby strengthening India’s socio-economic policy framework.

Sources:
Indian Express
Pib. Gov