Statistics Courses in India

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data. It is a tool for prediction and forecasting based on data. It is applicable to a wide variety of academic disciplines, from the natural and social sciences to the humanities, government and business. In applying statistics to a scientific, industrial, or societal problem, it is necessary to begin with a process or population to be studied. This can be a population of people in a country or of goods manufactured by a particular factory during a given period. Statistics form a key basis tool in business and manufacturing as well. It is used to understand measurement systems variability, control processes for summarizing data and to make data-driven decisions. Thus it is a key tool which maybe the only reliable tool. A person involved in the working or teaching of Statistics is known as Statistician. Statisticians collect, verify and interpret data and use the same to solve problems in a wide variety of fields.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Actuarial science
• Applied information economics
• Biostatistics
• Bootstrap & Jackknife Resampling
• Business statistics
• Chemometrics (for analysis of data from chemistry)
• Data analysis

Some well-known statistical tests and procedures are:

1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
2. Chi-square test
3. Correlation
4. Factor Analysis
5. Mann-Whitney U
6. Mean Square Weighted Deviation MSWD

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

• Analysis
• Probability Theory
• Statistical Methods
• Database Management Systems

Objectives

1. To provide accurate data in various fields like medicine, engineering etc.
2. To assist in the development of the country through the skills developed through study and practice
3. To make predictions for certain processes

Basic Requirement

For Undergraduate course in Statistics one should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination securing a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate in the subjects Physics, Maths plus any one of the following: Chemistry, Statistics, Computer Science. The duration of a normal undergraduate programme is three years and that of post graduate course is two years.

Job Perspectives

A qualified statistician will find job opportunities in public sector organisations, financial institutions and major corporations. Employment in private companies is another option for them. One can also appear for the Indian Statistical Services, Indian Economic Services as well as Civil Services exams. Colleges and Universities employ statisticians for teaching, statistical research, and consulting Every year the UPSC conducts an All India Level Competitive Examination to fill vacancies in the Indian Statistical Service (ISS). For ISS, Masters degree with Statistics or Mathematical Statistics or Applied Statistics from a recognised university is essential. Other reputed organizations employing statisticians include Planning Commission, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Institute Of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), statistical and economic bureaus, institutions associated with socio-economic research, banks and public-sector undertakings.

Some Employment Areas

• Surveys
• Government Operations
• Scientific Research
• Education
• Industry
• Sports Statistics
• Medical Statistics

Some Job Types

1. Econometrician
2. Biostatistician
3. Research Analyst
4. Biometrician
5. Epidemiologist