Brief
Telangana statistics directorate operates at 63% of sanctioned staff
The directorate's vacancy rate hampers agricultural yield estimates and other economic data gathering.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hyderabad – The Directorate of Economics and Statistics in Telangana is functioning with about 63% of its sanctioned officer strength, according to a New Indian Express report dated Oct. 12, 2026.
As of Aug. 3, only 101 of the 161 authorized posts—from director to statistical officer—were occupied. At the mandal level, just 311 of 621 mandals have a Mandal Planning Statistical Officer, leaving many districts short‑staffed; Adilabad has three officers for 21 mandals, while Bhadradri Kothagudem has 15 vacancies out of 23 posts.
The directorate gathers data for policy‑making and runs crop‑cutting experiments, handling roughly half of the 3,140 paddy‑yield trials across the state. Officials say the shortages force existing staff to take on extra duties.
Recruitment has lagged, with the last intake of assistant directors in 2013 and MPSOs in 2019. Fourteen deputy directors retired by Sep. 2026, and further retirements are slated for 2027. The ministerial staff also faces a shortfall of about 50%.
Key facts
- Only 101 of 161 sanctioned posts are filled in the directorate (newindianexpress.com)
- 311 of 621 mandals have a Mandal Planning Statistical Officer (newindianexpress.com)
- The directorate conducts about half of 3,140 crop‑cutting experiments for paddy yields (newindianexpress.com)
- Assistant directors were last recruited in 2013 and MPSOs in 2019 (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “Too few statisticians to count Telangana’s story”
