The news buzzing around is the Government of India’s novel initiative in creating innovative roadmaps to foster a robust data ecosystem. This is being achieved through the National Data and Analytics Platform, more familiarly known as NDAP.
Origin of NDAP
Launched in May 2022, the National Institution for Transforming India or the NITI Aayog, working collectively with various national and state government ministries, rolled out this revolutionary open-data platform – NDAP. The platform is primarily designed to provide access to fundamental datasets assembled from multiple central and state government entities. Equipped with machine-readable configurations and a user-friendly interface, NDAP has truly transformed the way users interact and work with collective government data.
Technical Aspects and User-Interface
NDAP makes use of advanced methodologies to connect and link numerous datasets originating from dispersed government sources. The platform is designed in such a way that it allows the use of several data types simultaneously, enhancing its usability and adaptability among various user groups. With a powerful analytics system backing it, NDAP ensures a seamless data analysis experience for its users.
Target Users of NDAP
NDAP is primarily aimed at offering service to a wide variety of users that range from policymakers, civil servants, academic students and researchers, to journalists, innovators, and civil society communities. In essence, anybody seeking dependable government data for research, policy design, innovation, or reporting can make use of the vast resources available on NDAP.
Data Availability on NDAP
A testament to the thoroughness of the NDAP initiative is the sheer volume and diversity of data accommodated on the platform. As of February 2023, NDAP is hosting approximately 885 datasets that span across a myriad of 15 sectors and are sourced from 46 different Ministries. This wide-ranging collection of data is a valuable resource for different user groups and serves a multitude of purposes effectively.
NDAP’s Objective and Functionality
NDAP is primarily designed to address and overcome the issues that inhibit the wider use of government data in the current scenario. The design process of NDAP involved a comprehensive research phase where diverse data users were consulted to understand their requirements from government data, their proficiency levels in utilizing it, and the issues they faced while doing so. This user-centric approach to the platform’s design significantly increases its relevance and usability among targeted users.
With the launch of NDAP, the Government of India has taken a significant step towards creating a richer data ecosystem, contributing to better policy-making, innovation, research, and democratic discourse.
