National Migration Survey 2026 – Mapping Internal Mobility in India

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced a year-long National Migration Survey to be conducted from July 2026 to June 2027. The aim is to generate updated and comprehensive data on internal migration in India. A draft questionnaire and concept note have been released for public feedback until 30 November 2025.

Background: Migration in India

Migration refers to the movement of people from one region to another for reasons such as employment, marriage, education, climate pressures, or improved living standards.

Key Statistics (PLFS 2020–21)

• 28.9% of India’s population are migrants.
• Female migration (48% in rural areas) is predominantly due to marriage.
• Male migration is mainly employment-driven (67%).
• Major migration flows:
  • Rural → Urban (jobs & education)
  • Inter-state migration from Bihar, UP, Odisha → Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat

Why This Data Matters?

Migration influences:

• Urbanisation
• Labour markets & industrial growth
• Remittance-based rural economies
• Housing & social security policies

Challenges in Migration Management

• Informal employment
• Poor housing & slum clusters
• Lack of portability of welfare schemes
• Post-pandemic reverse migration patterns

About the National Migration Survey 2026

Conducting Agency

• National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under MoSPI
• Part of India’s socio-economic survey architecture since 1950

Coverage

• Nearly all States & Union Territories
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands excluded due to logistical constraints

Objectives

• Estimate migration rates & flows (rural–urban, interstate, intrastate)
• Capture short-term, seasonal, and return migration
• Identify drivers of migration
• Record employment, income, and living standards
• Assess impacts on households, communities, remittances, welfare access

Evolution of Migration Surveys in India

Why a New Survey Now?

• No dedicated survey for 18 years
• COVID-19 caused reverse migration & socio-economic shocks
• Need for granular, real-time, individual-level data
  

Key Features of the 2026 Survey

1. Revised Definitions

• Short-term migrant: Person staying away for 15 days to 6 months for employment or job search
• Shift from household-level to individual-level migration tracking

2. Broader & Deeper Data Capture

New additions include:

• Income/occupation changes after migration
• Access to healthcare, education, food, housing
• Integration & living conditions at destinations
• Future migration intent
• Issues of harassment, discrimination, identity proof access

3. Policy Integration Focus

The survey will support policymaking in:

Urban Development

• Housing planning, transport policy, slum rehabilitation

Employment Generation

• Mapping labour shortages & skill mobility

Social Protection

• Improving portability under ONORC, ESIC, PF, welfare schemes

Regional Development

• Understanding remittances & rural livelihood diversification

Why is the Survey Significant? (Analytical)

1. Critical Post-Pandemic Need

COVID-19 exposed:

• Weak labour records
• Poor welfare portability
• Vulnerability of seasonal migrants

The survey fills a major data vacuum.

2. Supports Sustainable Urbanisation

Better data will improve:

• City planning
• Affordable housing
• Transport design
• Inclusive development

3. Economic Impact Assessment

Helps evaluate:

• Productivity
• Skill migration
• State-level labour profiles
• Remittance-driven rural consumption

4. Helps Address Social Issues

Migration links to:

• Child labour
• Women’s safety
• Access to health & education
• Identity/documentation gaps

Issues & Challenges in Migration Management

• Absence of a national migration registry
• Fragmented databases
• Weak inter-state coordination
• Exclusion from welfare schemes
• Informal urban housing
• Gendered vulnerability (domestic work, unpaid labour)