WHAT?

The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is the primary source of industrial statistics in India. It is conducted every year by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It provides information to assess the changes in the growth and structure of organized manufacturing sector comprising activities related to manufacturing processes, repair services gas and water supply and cold storage. 

DETAILS

1. It covers all factories employing 10 or more workers using power and those employing 20 or more workers without using power. 
2. The ASI covers the entire country except the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. 
3.  It is conducted annually under the statutory provisions of the Collection of Statistics Act, 1953, and the Rules framed there, under in 1959 except in the State of Jammu and Kashmir where it is conducted under the State Collection of Statistics Act, 1961, and the Rules framed there, under in 1964. 

Purpose & Objectives

1. To collect and analyze data related to the registered (organized) manufacturing sector.
2. To estimate the contribution of industries to the national income.
3. To provide data for policy-making, academic research, industrial planning, and business analysis.

Coverage

All factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948.

Excludes:

• Defense-related industries,
• Oil storage & refining units,
• Small-scale unregistered industries (these are covered separately by surveys on unorganized manufacturing).

Key Indicators Measured

1. ASI collects both structural and performance-related data of industries, including:
2. Employment & Wages: Number of workers, compensation, social security benefits.
3. Fixed Assets: Buildings, plants, machinery, land, and equipment.
4. Working Capital & Inventory: Value of inputs, outputs, stocks, and raw materials.
5. Output & Value Added: Gross output, Net value added (NVA), Gross value added (GVA).
6. Energy Use: Fuel and electricity consumption.
7. Financial Indicators: Profits, depreciation, loans, and interest payments.

Methodology

1. Frame: Maintained from the Business Register of factories.
2. Sampling: Stratified sampling is used (larger factories surveyed completely, smaller ones sampled).
3. Schedule: A detailed questionnaire (called ASI Schedule) is used to collect information.

Importance

1. Policy Planning: Helps government assess industrial growth, employment, and regional distribution.
2. GDP Contribution: Provides data to calculate National Accounts Statistics (NAS) for the manufacturing sector.
3. Research & Analysis: Used by economists, planners, and industry experts.
4. Investment & Employment: Highlights sectors attracting investment and generating jobs.

Recent Findings (Latest Available 2022–23 / 2023–24)

1. Manufacturing sector accounts for around 17–18% of India’s GDP.
2. Sectors like basic metals, chemicals, machinery, food processing, textiles, and automobiles are major contributors.
3. Employment: Around 15–16 million workers in registered manufacturing units.