The initial nomenclature of the DES, Manipur was ‘State Statistical Bureau (SSB)’. It was set up in Manipur in July, 1958. From a small beginning during the 2nd Five Year Plan, the SSB had expanded gradually. In addition to the routine works, the SSB, Manipur started participation in the survey programmes of National Sample Survey (NSS), which was sponsored by the Central Government, from the 5th sub-round of the 17thround (1962-63) of NSS. With increase in work load and responsibility both in terms of scope and coverage with the participation in the NSS Programme, the expansion of the SSB started from 1963-64 (18th round of NSS). During 1963-64, there were 10 sub-divisions in Manipur of which 3 sub-divisions such as Mao, Tamenglong and Ukhrul were not covered by the All IndiaProgramme of NSS due to disturbed conditions in those days. From 1970-71 onwards, the NSS Programme covered the whole State of Manipur.

The then Lt. Governor of Manipur wrote a letter to the then Director, then Central Statistics Office (CSO) which was (earlier known as Central Statistical Organisation), Department of Statistics, Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi on the 5th June, 1970 to depute one of the Sr. Technical Officer to Imphal to study the working of the SSB, Manipur with a view to put forward suggestions for improvements to make the working of the Bureau more efficient and purposeful. A team of technical officers visited Imphal from the 24th to 29th August, 1970 under the leadership of Shri K.L. Saxena, Joint Director, CSO. The team of Technical Officers from the CSO submitted its report on 5th September, 1970 and recommended, among other things, the desirability of creating the post of Director of Economics & Statistics in Manipur. Accordingly, one post of Director of Economics & Statistics was created during 1971-72 and the then SSB became a Directorate. As part of the policy of downsizing, and in pursuance of the Finance Department’s Orders No.16/21/2001-PIC(A) dated 11th July,2001, the State Government had abolished 9(nine) posts vide Orders No.1/1/2001-E & S dated 24th September, 2001 and another 90 (ninety) posts vide Orders No.1/1/2001-E & S dated 27th September, 2001 in the DES, Manipur with effect from the date the post(s) falls vacant due to promotion/retirement/expiry of the incumbents. Out of 99 (ninety nine) posts to be abolished, 98 posts were abolished.

The total strength of the Department is now 338. The scheme wise manpower can be seen at Annexure III. Out of the total strength of 338 as on 31-03-2025(AnnexureI), 181posts arelying vacant, while157 post are filledin (Female-49, Male-108)and 6 (six) Drivers (All Male) are also engaged on Daily Wage basis.

The DSOs had been opened from 1972-73 in all the erstwhile 5(five) districts of Manipur viz., Manipur Central District, Manipur North District, Manipur West District, Manipur South District and Manipur East District. The DSOs are engaged mostly in mobilizing the statistical data required by the Government. After reorganizations of the erstwhile Manipur Central District on the 25th May, 1983, 2(two) more DSOs were opened in Bishnupur and Thoubal Districts during the year 1983-84. With the bifurcation of the then Imphal District into Imphal East District and Imphal West District Vide Order No. 6/1/73-R (Pt-VIII) dated 16th June, 1997 published in the Gazette Notification No. 104 dated 17th June, 1997, the total number of districts of Manipur became 9 (nine). Each district has a District Statistical Office headed by a District Statistical Officerexcept District Statistical Office, Imphal East where the office is headed by an Assistant Director. The District Statistical Office, Imphal East was opened vide Orders No. 4/27/99 – E & S dated 18th December, 1999. However, DSO, Imphal East became fully functional with the taking over charge by the then Senior Research Officer from the then DSO, Imphal West District vide Order No. DES/1(38)/98-GA dated 5th May, 2000. Now, with the number of districts being 16 (sixteen) as a result of the creation of 7(seven) new districts in December, 2016 (Vide Notification No.16/20/2016-R dated 8th December, 2016 and Corrigendum No. 16/20/2016-R dated 14th December, 2016), the Directorate had submitted proposal for creation of additional posts for the offices in the newly created districts. The District Statistical Officers are transferable with Deputy Directors of the State Headquarters Office of the DES, Manipur.

A small printing (Press) unit is functioning in the Directorate since 1975 in order to minimize the time-lag in bringing out statistical publications.