The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has recently launched a revised Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy. The main aim of this policy revision is to modernize the approach to data collection within the government, with a focus on improving governance. Further, this new direction also aims to facilitate an environment conducive to Artificial Intelligence (AI) led research and startup ecosystems within the nation.
The Revised Draft: National Data Governance Framework Policy
Replacing the now-repealed ‘India Data Accessibility and Use Policy’, the revised draft titled ‘National Data Governance Framework Policy’ focuses on a revamped approach to the government’s data collection methodologies.
Key Provisions of the Policy
A significant aspect of this policy is the proposed establishment of the Indian Datasets programme. This programme will consist of non-personal and anonymised datasets collated from various Central government entities. Such data will be collected from Indian citizens or individuals based in India. Further, the policy also promotes the idea of private companies sharing such data voluntarily.
This non-personal data will be made accessible to startups and Indian researchers. By definition, non-personal data is devoid of any personally identifiable information, meaning an individual cannot be identified by examining such data.
This idea was initially endorsed by a government committee led by Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys. The primary objective was to unlock the economic potential of non-personal data while addressing associated concerns.
Introducing the India Data Management Office (IDMO)
The updated draft also recommends the establishment of the India Data Management Office (IDMO). This office will oversee the design and management of the Indian Datasets platform and prescribe rules and standards for both government and private entities, including anonymization standards.
For safety and trust purposes, any non-personal data sharing must only happen via platforms authorized by IDMO.
No More Selling of Data
One of the most notable changes in this updated draft policy is the omission of the provision allowing the selling of data collected at the Central level in the open market.
Applicability of the Policy
Upon finalization, this policy will apply to all Central government departments and non-personal datasets. It will also standardize rules governing access to this data by startups and researchers. State governments will be encouraged to adopt the provisions of this policy.
The Previous Policy: India Data Accessibility and Use Policy
The old draft titled ‘India Data Accessibility and Use Policy’ allowed for data that the Centre had added value to, to be sold in the open market for an appropriate price. This proposal was widely criticized due to the absence of a data protection law in India.
Challenges with the New Draft
There are some concerns with the new draft policy. The structure of the IDMO and the process have not been clearly outlined. Another concern is that private companies might not willingly share non-personal data. There could also be intellectual property and trade-related issues.
