Odisha Concludes Advanced Training on NADA Platform to Strengthen State Data Systems

Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DE&S), Odisha, under the Planning & Convergence Department, has successfully completed a five-day advanced training programme on the implementation of the Data Catalogue using the National Data Archive (NADA) platform. The Phase-II training, held from 17th to 21st November 2025 at the Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies (NCDS), marks another milestone in the State’s efforts to modernise and democratise access to official statistics.

The programme aimed to enhance Odisha’s capacity to systematically organise, document, and share official datasets in a transparent and user-friendly manner. Participants received hands-on guidance from international expert Somnath Sambhudas, who led detailed sessions on documenting datasets, describing survey methodologies, preparing metadata, and readying microdata for publication on the NADA system. The training covered key surveys including NSS, Price Statistics, Annual Survey of Industries, Minor Irrigation Census, and Census of Water Bodies.

The inaugural session was led by Prakash Chandra Mohanty, Additional Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, who emphasised that data becomes more meaningful when it is clearly explained and accessible to users across all levels. Eminent expert Dr. B. B. Nanda also addressed the participants, underscoring the growing need for transparent data dissemination frameworks to support research, public engagement, and evidence-based planning.

The initiative is a key component of the World Bank–supported Odisha State Capacity and Resilient Growth Programme (OSCRGP), which focuses on strengthening the State’s statistical ecosystem. By investing in advanced training, the Government of Odisha aims to ensure that official data is not only robust but also easily interpretable and available for public use.

Odisha remains a frontrunner in data transparency, being the first State in the country to operationalise the NADA platform for publishing government datasets. With the State Data Dissemination Policy and detailed guidelines already in place, DE&S continues to advance its commitment to openness, efficiency, and modern data management practices.