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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) | National Statistical Office (NSO)
The National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI has proposed a dedicated Survey on Migration to be conducted between July 2026 and June 2027. While migration data has previously been part of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and Multiple Indicator Survey, this forthcoming study aims to provide a granular, up-to-date analysis of rural-urban and inter-state migration patterns. The survey will explicitly track reasons for movement, return migration, seasonal shifts, and the employment profiles of migrants to better understand national labour mobility and remittance flows.
Existing Migration Landscape Data from the 2020-21 PLFS reveals significant gender-based disparities in migration drivers across an estimated national migration rate of 28.9%:
Female Migration: Estimated at 47.9%, with marriage being the primary driver for 86.8% of cases, highlighting a social-structural basis for movement.
Male Migration: Estimated at 10.7%, with “employment or better employment” serving as the lead catalyst for 22.8% of migrants, reflecting labour market-driven mobility.
Informing Targeted Governance The survey results are intended to empower planners and development practitioners to design more effective interventions. Specifically, the data will inform policies regarding urban planning, affordable housing, social security, and skill development, ensuring that public services are aligned with the actual geographical distribution of the population.
What is the “Migration Rate” as defined in India’s recent statistical surveys? The migration rate is a statistical measure representing the percentage of persons whose current place of residence is different from their last usual place of residence. In the 2020-21 PLFS, India’s all-India migration rate was 28.9%, which includes both inter-district and inter-state movements, serving as a critical indicator for understanding demographic shifts and the resulting demand for urban infrastructure.
Policy Relevance
The 2026-27 Migration Survey represents a pivot toward evidence-based urban and social policy.
Bridging the Social Security Gap: By capturing seasonal and return migration, the survey helps MoSPI and the Ministry of Labour design “portable” social security benefits that follow the worker across state lines.
Urban Agglomeration Strategy: Data on rural-urban flows will directly inform the development of the City Economic Regions (CERs) proposed in Budget 2026-27, ensuring infrastructure meets migrant-driven demand.
Addressing Gender-Specific Needs: Identifying marriage as the predominant driver for female migration suggests a need for localized health and education support systems for women who relocate to unfamiliar linguistic or social environments.
Economic Resilience: Understanding remittance flows through employment profiles allows the government to track the impact of internal migration on rural household purchasing power and regional poverty reduction.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can MoSPI integrate the 2026-27 migration data with the “Digital Infrastructure” and “Gati Shakti” portals to predict future housing shortages in emerging industrial corridors?
Follow the full news here: SURVEY ON MIGRATION IN THE COUNTRY