Introduction to ASISSE
The service sector is a cornerstone of India’s economy, contributing over 50% to the nation’s GDP and generating millions of jobs. Accurate, comprehensive data on this sector is vital for effective policymaking, strategic planning, and informed investment decisions. To address the lack of consistent data on the incorporated services sector, the National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has introduced the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE).
Addressing the Data Gap
While the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) regularly collects data on the unincorporated service sector, there is a significant gap in consistent, industry-wise, and State/UT-wise data for the incorporated services sector. This includes critical economic and operational characteristics, employment details, and other related aspects of non-agricultural and non-manufacturing subsectors. The absence of a regular national-level survey has hindered comprehensive insights into this vital sector.
ASISSE: Objectives and Framework
The ASISSE aims to bridge this data gap by providing a robust framework for collecting detailed information on the incorporated services sector. The survey uses the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) dataset as its sampling frame, covering corporate entities in sectors such as construction, trade, transport, accommodation, food services, information and communication, health, education, real estate, and more.
Pilot Study and Key Findings
To ensure the efficacy of ASISSE, the NSO conducted a pan-India Pilot Study, named the Annual Survey of Services Sector Enterprises (ASSSE), in two phases:
- Phase I (May–August 2024): Focused on testing the suitability of the GSTN database as a sampling frame and verifying selected frame information.
- Phase II (November 2024–January 2025): Evaluated operational aspects, including enterprise response rates, questionnaire structure, clarity of instructions, and data collectability.
The findings of the pilot study are detailed in the Technical Report on ASSSE, available on the MoSPI website: View Technical Report.
Stakeholder Engagement and Questionnaire Development
On August 13, 2025, a brainstorming session was held in Delhi with stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to refine the survey methodology and instruments. Valuable insights from this session, combined with the pilot study outcomes, informed the development of the ASISSE draft questionnaire under the guidance of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Enterprise Surveys.
Call for Feedback
The draft ASISSE questionnaire is now available for public review on the MoSPI website. The NSO invites researchers, policymakers, industry bodies, academic institutions, and the public to provide feedback on the questionnaire’s structure, content, and coverage. Your inputs will help enhance the survey’s quality, relevance, and effectiveness in shaping policy and decision-making.
How to Submit Feedback
Suggestions and comments should be sent to the following email addresses by October 31, 2025, using the specified format:
- Email IDs: [email protected], [email protected]
- Draft Questionnaire and Feedback Format: Access Here
Conclusion
The ASISSE is a significant step toward strengthening data-driven policymaking for India’s incorporated services sector. By participating in this consultation process, stakeholders can contribute to refining a critical tool that will shape the future of economic planning and development in India.