Bhubaneswar : The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DE&S), Odisha, functioning under the Planning & Convergence Department, has completed Phase-II of an intensive five-day advanced training programme focused on implementing the Data Catalogue through the National Data Archive (NADA) platform. Conducted from November 17 to 21, 2025 at the Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies (NCDS), Bhubaneswar, the programme aimed to enhance the State’s capacity to systematically organise and disseminate official data in a more accessible and user-centric format.
During the training, participants engaged in hands-on sessions guided by international expert Mr. Somnath Sambhudas, who provided practical demonstrations on handling and structuring datasets of the Directorate. The trainees gained expertise in dataset documentation, survey methodology description and metadata preparation, with a focus on facilitating the publication of microdata from key surveys such as the National Sample Survey (NSS), Price Statistics, Annual Survey of Industries, Minor Irrigation Census and Census of Water Bodies through the NADA system. This initiative marks a crucial move towards improving transparency, effectiveness and public accessibility of statistical information in the State.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Mr. Prakash Chandra Mohanty, Additional Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, in the presence of senior officials and experts. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that data attains greater value when it is clearly explained and made available to users from all backgrounds. Adding further perspective, Dr. B.B. Nanda underscored the importance of open and transparent data dissemination frameworks to support research and enhance public participation.
This training forms part of the World Bank-supported Odisha State Capacity and Resilient Growth Programme (OSCRGP), which focuses on strengthening the State’s statistical infrastructure. Through such capacity-building efforts, the Government of Odisha aims to ensure that official data is not only reliable but also easy to interpret for informed decision-making and public use. The completion of this programme reflects the State’s proactive approach to adopting advanced data management practices.
Notably, Odisha has emerged as a frontrunner in data dissemination, becoming the first State in India to operationalise the NADA platform for publishing government datasets. With an established State Data Dissemination Policy and clear operational guidelines, DE&S continues to promote transparency and efficiency in sharing official statistics. The conclusion of this training represents another milestone in building a robust, inclusive and modern data ecosystem for Odisha.
