Giving data its due – On National Data and Analytics Platform

Source– The post is based on the article “Giving data its due” published in The Indian Express on 23rd February 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- E-governance

Relevance: Use of data for governance

News- National Data and Analytics Platform will enable policy-makers and researchers to exploit the potential of government data

What are some facts about the National Data and Analytics Platform?

It is a transformational open data platform launched by NITI Aayog in 2022.

NDAP provides foundational datasets from central and state government entities in machine-readable formats, with a user-friendly interface and powerful analytics.

The platform uses cutting-edge methods to link diverse datasets from across the government and enables the use of several types of data at once.

NDAP’s target users include policymakers, civil servants, university students and researchers, journalists, innovators, and civil society groups.

The design process of NDAP was preceded by extensive research with diverse data users to learn about their demand for government data, and challenges faced in doing so.

Why is there a need for such a type of platform?

Public data is often stored on platforms that are difficult to use. It is available in formats that delay analysis. Data from different sources do not speak to each other. Users cannot compare data from different departments or data gathered over time.

There are issues related to slow updating processes and inconsistencies in data quality. It is not always clear that the appropriate data is publicly available.

What are some positive aspects related to NDAP?

The decision-maker can access the data from different sources seamlessly linked into a single dataset. She can use the data and analyse it using her preferred method.

Civil servants can save considerable time and make her decisions more data-driven. The people of the state can enjoy better governance and programme outcomes.

NDAP has been made an integral part of the State Support Mission of NITI Aayog. The state-specific portals have been developed on the lines of NDAP. It ensures that all states are equal partners in data-driven policymaking.

NDAP strives to maintain the principles of collaboration. Its public access has provided opportunities for all, including states, ministries, and India’s data community.

NDAP has been included in the curriculum of officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. This will enable incoming government officers to develop a data-driven decision-making mindset.