P.C. Mahalanobis and Indian Statistics

How statistician P.C. Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute, pioneered large sample surveys, and shaped India's early planning.

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972) is called the father of Indian statistics.

Indian Statistical Institute

He founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata in 1931, which became a world-renowned centre.

Sample surveys

Mahalanobis pioneered large-scale sample surveys, showing that a well-designed sample could accurately represent a whole population at much lower cost than a full count.
He used surveys to estimate jute crop sizes in Bengal.

National Sample Survey

In 1950, India set up the National Sample Survey (NSS), among the first of its kind in the world, collecting data on consumption, employment and more.

Planning

Mahalanobis designed the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61) model, emphasising heavy industry.

Mahalanobis distance

He developed the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure still used in data science and machine learning.

Legacy

India’s tradition of household surveys remains one of its statistical strengths. His birthday, 29 June, is celebrated as Statistics Day.

The jute estimate

Instead of measuring every jute field in Bengal, Mahalanobis surveyed a carefully chosen sample and estimated the total crop accurately at a fraction of the cost.

Thinking accurate data requires counting everyone

Well-designed samples can represent large populations accurately.

Key takeaways

Mahalanobis founded the ISI in 1931.
He pioneered large-scale sample surveys.
The National Sample Survey began in 1950.
29 June is celebrated as Statistics Day.