Cabinet greenlights ₹4,371 crore data infrastructure modernisation push

The Union Cabinet has sanctioned ₹4,371 crore to comprehensively modernise India's data collection and management systems, marking a significant step toward upgrading the country's statistical infrastructure. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed the approval, underscoring the government's commitment to strengthening data-gathering capabilities across various sectors.

The modernisation initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of data collection processes that underpin policy-making and administrative functions at national and state levels. The investment is expected to facilitate better coordination among agencies responsible for collecting, processing, and disseminating statistical information essential for evidence-based governance.

The decision reflects growing recognition of data's critical role in contemporary policy formulation and programme implementation. By upgrading infrastructure and systems, the government seeks to ensure that data collection mechanisms meet contemporary standards and can support emerging needs across sectors ranging from economics to public health and social welfare.

The initiative is also positioned to streamline workflows and reduce redundancies in the current data collection ecosystem, potentially improving resource allocation and reducing administrative burden across multiple government departments and agencies involved in statistical activities.