CSDS was one of the first Indian organisations to venture into the field of election studies and surveys, long before they became the norm in India. It conducted its first survey-based research of an election in 1965 during the state assembly elections in Kerala. Since then, CSDS and Lokniti (since 1995) have conducted election studies during almost all national elections (barring four) and several state elections that have taken place (post-1995) in the world’s largest democracy. In addition to these Lokniti has also conducted several theme-based studies related to Indian politics and democracy. This has meant that today, outside Western Europe and North America, our Data Unit’s holdings might constitute one of the largest archives of survey data on political behaviour and attitudes, spanning nearly five decades.

The CSDS Data Unit also has data on the election results of all national and state elections held in India since 1952. Official results for all elections are available at the constituency level and can be aggregated and analysed at various levels such as state, region, districts, etc. Our Data Unit, thus, provides a unique mix of aggregate and survey data sets.

The data at the CSDS Data Unit is available for social scientists, teachers, students, policy makers and journalists who want to enhance their understanding of the theoretical and empirical foundations of their research question.

Terms and Conditions:

• The Bibliography Form must be filled in and sent to the CSDS every time Data is quoted or published.
• The user will be supplied only tables on CD, or printouts, and not the raw data sets.
• For commercial use, the users will be granted a license to use the data for one publication or for one programme. Multiple usages would imply additional costs.
• CSDS does not charge for Univariate tables available on the web. However Bivariate and Multivariate tables are charged. A Bivariate table is considered as one table. A Multivariate table is considered as two tables.
• CSDS has developed 4 categories of potential users of its data. The user would be obliged to honestly disclose the category in which s/he falls. Charges for data processing would be made according to the user’s category.
• Action might be taken against those who do not adhere to the above listed terms and conditions. CSDS reserves the right to refuse access to data.

Category I (Free access):

• CSDS faculty and Lokniti associates
• Students doing their research in South Asian universities (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal)
• Journalists working in the Indian media would be provided up to 3 tables free of cost
• Social and political activists working in India would be provided up to 3 tables free of cost
• Free access is not applicable for those who want Raw Election Data sets.

Category II (Subsidized access):

• Scholars working in South Asian universities who do not have a research grant
• South Asia based non-profit organizations, which do not have any grant or funding
• Journalists working in the Indian media would be charged in this category for any tables beyond the 3 free tables assigned to them.
• Social and political activists working in India would be charged in this category for any tables beyond the two 3 tables assigned to them.

Category III (South Asian users):

• Scholars working in South Asia who have a research grant or funding
• South Asia based non-profit organizations, which do have a grant or funding
• Students doing their research in universities outside South Asia

Category IV (non-South Asian users):

• Scholars working in universities or institutes outside South Asia
• Journalists working in media organizations outside India
• Multi-national corporations
• Inter-Governmental Organizations
• International funding agencies

Rate list for survey data

The rates listed below are rates per table. A Bivariate table is considered as one table. A Multivariate table is considered as two tables.

 

To access data please fill in the Application Form for data usage online, or download and send it to Lokniti, CSDS Data Unit, CSDS, 29, Rajpur Road, Delhi-110054, India