Cabinet today approved the ‘Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research, VISTAR Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of over 4,371 crore rupees. The VISTAR Scheme is designed to establish a dynamic, real-time and future-ready official statistical architecture for enhanced timeliness, data granularity, interoperability with harmonised and AI-ready datasets. It will provide the strategic flexibility to dynamically allocate resources based on immediate policy needs, fostering a holistic approach to large-scale survey execution, methodological research, digital transformation, and national data governance. VISTAR Scheme will encompass all statistical and data management activities of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It will play a crucial role for upgrading the official statistical system of the country.
The Cabinet has also approved the ‘Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing’ with a financial outlay of two thousand 814 crore rupees over a period of five years.
Processing of critical minerals remains geographically concentrated in a few global locations. This exposes supply chains to geopolitical disruptions, price volatility, and potential supply restrictions, posing severe threats to supply chain resilience and economic security. This has implications for national security, economic sovereignty, and the timely achievement of decarbonisation targets. The “Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing” has been formulated to provide targeted capital expenditure support for the establishment and operationalisation of domestic processing facilities.
