Poverty and Human Resources Division Policy, Research Department, The World Bank, Berk Özler, Gaurav Datt, Martin Ravallion. January 1996 Introduction to the India DatasetsThis database contains detailed statistics on a wide range of topics in India. The data are presented at the state level and at the all-India level separately. The database uses published information to construct comprehensive series in six subject blocks. Period coverage is roughly from 1950 to 1994. The database contains 30 spreadsheets and 89 text files (ASCII) that are grouped into the six subject blocks. The formats and sizes of the 30 spreadsheets vary considerably. The list of variables included: RequirementsThe data are maintained mainly in Lotus spreadsheet form. Whenever you need to retrieve a file with data in spreadsheet form, you need to use Lotus, Excel, or some other spreadsheet software. All the recent versions of these softwares can open files that were created in another, so the choice of software is arbitrary. The text files can be opened in any text editor (e.g. MS-DOS Editor, Notepad), but they can also be opened in Lotus, Excel or a similar software. The variables in these files are aligned in columns with spaces between each variable, so the files can easily be converted into a spreadsheet. Some knowledge of Lotus or Excel is needed to use the database. Download the DatasetsYou can download from this web site the complete India datasets documentation and the actual data in compressed "zipped" files. Note: some of the zip files are quite large and may take a long time to download, depending on the speed of your internet connection. You will then need to "unzip" the compressed files. Download Disk1, All-India, "Distribution" (expenditures), "National Accounts", "Price", "Wage" (312K) Download Disk2, State-level, "Distribution" (expenditures), "National Accounts, "Population" (451K) Download Disk3, State-level, "Price", "Wage", "Rainfall" (357K)
Using the India DatabaseOnce you have downloaded the documentation and the datasets, you will have to use several reference documents to identify and locate the exact data file(s) you need. A detailed description of how to use the database is located in the file "intro.doc" in the zipped documentation file (see Downloading the Datasets, above.) Also in that zipped documentation file are the other documents you will need to get started, including: Dictionary of Variables (WORD file) is the first document that you will encounter while getting started. It gives you a list of variables alongside units, period covered, variable type, and a filename , or in some cases a file group in which you can find the variable you are interested in. File Guide (WORD file) gives a list of all the files in the database. For each file there is a detailed explanation about its contents. You can find the exact column (row) address of any variable of interest. You will be referred to the Notes for any further information relating to the data on particular variables. Notes (WORD file) describes each subject block in the Database, gives technical notes on the data including details of estimation whenever appropriate. Annexes:
Annex 1 (WORD file) gives a list of all the acronyms used in the reference documents. Annex 2 (WORD file) lists the sources used in the preparation of the Database. Annex 3 (WORD file) is an index of all the files in the Database. It also lists the diskette and directory in which each file can be found. Annex 4 (WORD file) lists the identification numbers for each state in India.
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