The project aims to create an annual report on State Economic Activity (SEA-India) that compiles and standardizes state-level economic data to address gaps in accessibility, timeliness, and granularity. While the national-level economic data in India is robust, the state level data tends to be less comprehensive. The project seeks to collate, harmonise, and disseminate key economic indicators at the state level, addressing the pressing need for systematic data infrastructure. The idea is to supplement understanding at the sub national level and to allow for more careful analysis of the Indian economy at lower levels of aggregation.

Responsibilities:

1. Data Aggregation and Harmonisation:

• Collect and compile state-level datasets from diverse sources, including national agencies (e.g., MOSPI, RBI), state statistical departments, and sector-specific bodies (e.g., agriculture, health, and infrastructure).
• Harmonise disparate datasets by standardizing definitions, formats, and methodologies to enable comparability across states and time periods.
• Address issues of missing or incomplete data by applying statistical imputation techniques and engaging with relevant agencies to fill gaps.

2. Gap Analysis:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of available data to identify critical gaps in coverage, granularity, and timeliness.
• Highlight areas where data is outdated, inconsistent, or unavailable, particularly in key sectors such as employment, public finance, and infrastructure.
• Propose strategies to address these gaps, including recommendations for improved data collection and reporting mechanisms.

3. Portal Design and Development Collaboration:

• Work closely with IT and design teams to ensure the portal is user-friendly, functional, and tailored to the needs of researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Define the structure of the database and assist in creating tools for data visualisation and analysis (e.g., interactive charts, heatmaps, and downloadable datasets).
• Collaborate on the development of APIs (Application Programming Interface) to enable researchers and developers to access and integrate the portal’s data into their workflows.

4. Policy and Research Outputs:

• Develop policy briefs and reports highlighting the findings from the analysis of state-level data.
• Publish academic papers in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as the methodological challenges of aggregating state-level data, insights into state-level economic dynamics, and the role of federalism in data governance.
• Present research findings at conferences, workshops, and policy forums to engage with the broader academic and policymaking community.

5. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with central and state-level agencies to facilitate data sharing and collaboration.
• Conduct workshops and training sessions for government officials, researchers, and other stakeholders to promote the use of the portal and data literacy.
• Build partnerships with other institutions working on state-level data (e.g., think tanks, universities, and private data providers).

6. Project Management and Oversight:

• Ensure the project stays on track by coordinating with cross-disciplinary teams, including data scientists, software developers, and policy experts.
• Monitor the progress of portal development, ensuring it aligns with the project’s research objectives and user needs.
• Identify potential challenges and develop solutions to address them in a timely manner.