MSME, MoSPI sign MoU to share Udyam data for stronger business statistics
Synopsis
India's MSME and statistics ministries have formalised a data-sharing pact that will feed real-time Udyam Registration records into the national Statistical Business Register. It is a quiet but structurally significant step toward closing the data gaps that have long hampered accurate enumeration of India's vast small-business sector.
Key Takeaways
The MSME Ministry and MoSPI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29 September 2026 in New Delhi .
Unit-wise Udyam Registration data will be shared via a two-way API mechanism .
The arrangement supports the preparation of the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR) .
The Statistical Business Register (SBR) underpins economic surveys, sample selection, and business demography statistics across India.
The MoU was signed by Dr Rajneesh (MSME Ministry) and Dr Dalip Singh (MoSPI) in the presence of senior officials from both ministries.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29 September 2026 in New Delhi to institutionalise the sharing of Udyam Registration data, with the stated aim of strengthening India's Statistical Business Register (SBR). The agreement was confirmed in an official government statement.
What the MoU Entails
Under the arrangement, the MSME Ministry will share unit-wise Udyam Registration data with MoSPI through application programming interfaces (APIs). The two-way API mechanism is designed to support the preparation of the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR), establishing a structured framework for the flow of information from the Udyam ecosystem into the national statistical system.
The data is expected to improve the coverage, consistency, and reliability of business information used for statistical purposes across the country.
What the Statistical Business Register Does
According to the government, the SBR is a central, regularly updated database of registered statistical units engaged in economic activities within a defined geographical territory. It captures information on businesses, enterprises, establishments, and other economic units, along with their key characteristics and interrelationships.
Notably, the SBR serves as a foundational component of the economic statistics system — identifying target populations for economic surveys, supporting sample selection, enabling the production of business demography statistics, and facilitating consistency across multiple data sources.
Who Signed the Agreement
The MoU was signed by Dr Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner at the Ministry of MSME, and Dr Dalip Singh, Additional Director General at MoSPI. The signing took place in the presence of senior officials from both ministries.
Broader Significance for India's Data Infrastructure
This comes amid growing recognition that India's economic surveys have historically suffered from incomplete business coverage, particularly for the MSME sector — which accounts for a significant share of employment and output but has been difficult to enumerate reliably. The data-sharing arrangement is expected to contribute to strengthening India's statistical infrastructure and improving the quality of business-related economic data. Policymakers and researchers who depend on accurate MSME counts for planning and resource allocation stand to benefit most directly from the improved register.
Point of View
With its self-registration model, is one of the better real-time proxies for the actual size of the registered small-business universe. Feeding that data systematically into MoSPI's registers could sharpen the sampling frames for economic surveys that currently undercount this sector. The real test will be data latency, update frequency, and whether the API integration is maintained consistently — inter-ministry data-sharing agreements in India have a patchy implementation record.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MoU between MSME Ministry and MoSPI about?
The MoU, signed on 29 September 2026, formalises the sharing of unit-wise Udyam Registration data from the MSME Ministry to MoSPI through a two-way API mechanism. The goal is to strengthen India's Statistical Business Register and improve national business statistics.
What is the Statistical Business Register (SBR)?
The SBR is a central, regularly updated database of registered economic units — businesses, enterprises, and establishments — within a defined geographical territory. It serves as the backbone for economic surveys, sample selection, and the production of business demography statistics in India.
How will Udyam Registration data be shared under the MoU?
Data will be exchanged through application programming interfaces (APIs) in a two-way mechanism. This structured framework will allow Udyam ecosystem information to flow into MoSPI's systems to support the preparation of the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR).
Who signed the MoU on behalf of the two ministries?
Dr Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner at the MSME Ministry, and Dr Dalip Singh, Additional Director General at MoSPI, signed the agreement in the presence of senior officials from both ministries.
Why does this data-sharing arrangement matter for India's economy?
Accurate and comprehensive business data is essential for designing MSME policies, planning economic surveys, and allocating resources. The MSME sector — a major contributor to employment and output — has historically been difficult to enumerate fully, and the Udyam-linked data is expected to close key coverage gaps.
