On the Importance of Triangulating Datasets to Examine Indians on the Move

A chapter dedicated to migration in the Economic Survey 2016-17 signals the willingness on the part of Indian policymakers to address the linkages between migration, labour markets and economic development. This paper attempts to take forward this discussion. The paper comments on the salient mobility trends in India gleaned from existing datasets, and then compare and critique estimates of the Economic Survey with traditional datasets. After highlighting the data and resultant knowledge gaps, the paper comments on the possibility of using innovative data sources and methods to understand migration and human mobility. It also offer ideas on how an enhanced understanding of mobility is important for policy interventions for those individuals who change locations permanently and those who move seasonally.