First fully digitised National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 launched

Overview On October 31, 2025 , the Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian , launched the household enumeration phase of the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi. This marks a significant step towards digital and data-driven fisheries governance in India. Key Developments Digitization of the Census The MFC 2025 is the first fully digitized data collection in the history of Indian fisheries. This technological shift aims to enhance accuracy, transparency, and efficiency while reducing processing time. The census utilizes two specially designed mobile applications, VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra , developed by CMFRI for real-time data collection, geo-referencing, and instant verification. Enumeration Details Duration: The nationwide enumeration will be carried out over 45 days , from November 3 to December 18 . Coverage: The census will cover over 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000 marine fishing villages. Geographical Scope: The enumeration will take place in nine coastal states and four union territories. NFDP Registration Shri George Kurian emphasized the mandatory requirement for all fishermen and fish workers to register on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) . This registration is essential to access benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) . Registration can be conveniently carried out through Common Service Centres (CSCs). Coordination and Collaboration The Census is coordinated by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) . CMFRI serves as the nodal agency, and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is the operational partner. Government Initiatives The government is actively involved in improving marine fisheries by installing transponders and turtle excluder devices free of cost for the benefit of fishermen. This initiative aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect marine life. UPSC Relevance GS Paper 3: Economy and Agriculture The National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 is relevant to the GS Paper 3 syllabus, particularly concerning the economy and agriculture sectors. The census provides critical data for policy formulation and resource allocation in the fisheries sector. The digitization of the census aligns with the government's focus on leveraging technology for improved governance and data management. GS Paper 2: Government Policies and Interventions The mandatory registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) and the linkage to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) are relevant to GS Paper 2 . These initiatives highlight the government's efforts to provide targeted assistance to fishermen and fish farmers, ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. Important Facts Launch Date: October 31, 2025 Enumeration Period: November 3 to December 18 Target Coverage: 1.2 million fisher households Number of Villages: 4,000 Mobile Applications: VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra Nodal Agency: CMFRI Operational Partner: FSI Linked Scheme: PM-MKSSY