The Indian National Sample Survey (NSS) was set up way back in the year 1950 with a view to filling up the data gaps on various subjects of the Indian economy by conducting nationwide sample surveys on a scientific basis. The formative years of the NSS faced quite a few challenges in the development of the survey design in view of (a) the limited availability of the information to be satisfactorily used as the sampling frame for the selection of villages and urban blocks in the household and establishment surveys, (b) constraint of adequate manpower for carrying out the fieldwork, and (c) other survey related issues including the problems of coordination between the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)—which was responsible for designing the survey, processing of data and preparation of reports based on the NSS—and the Directorate of National Sample Survey in the Government of India which handled the aspect of data collection through its field staff. Subsequently, with the set-up of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) which became fully operational by the middle of the year 1972, all the survey related activities of the NSS taken care of by the NSSO got adequately strengthened.