India building harmonised data infrastructure for AI era: MoSPI

India is moving to create a harmonised data infrastructure that will allow government information to be systematically discovered, understood, connected and deployed across sectors, according to Saurabh Garg, Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Addressing the 53rd National Management Convention of the All India Management Association on Monday, Garg emphasised that such unified data architecture is essential given data's role as the raw material for artificial intelligence applications. He noted that inconsistent data definitions across different government entities often create barriers to effective information sharing and utilisation.

The government has initiated a five-step process involving both central and state governments to build this infrastructure. "The first step is to have government data which is harmonised, and then we can look at other data in the private sector and others can join in," Garg explained.

The initiative reflects New Delhi's broader push to leverage data as a strategic resource for policy-making and technological advancement. By establishing standardised definitions and interconnected systems across ministries, departments and state administrations, the government aims to create a foundation for AI-driven governance and decision-making.