NIC & Nasscom invite entrepreneurs to create apps using open govt data

NIC and the Dept of Electronics and Information Technology have set up the data portal and have been implementing an open government initiative

The National Informatics Centre (NIC), in association with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), has organised “#OpenDataApps Challenge”, inviting entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups, developers, civil society and the information technology (IT) industry to create unique and useful apps using Open Government Data.

The government, under the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), is in the process of pro-actively releasing a large number of government data sets from various departments to enhance delivery of government information, promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.

“Today, we have released the data portal, which is the single window access to Open Government Data. The portal would have a significant impact on enhancing the reach and accessibility of government services and information though innovative apps around the Open Data,” said Nasscom.

In recent months, around 49 departments have contributed their data and it has grown from less than 100 data sets in a few months to 3,000 now.

“It is our belief that there is a need to create awareness of the Open Government Data initiative in the industry, and this programme will go a long way in encouraging the use of open data in the country,” said a Nasscom spokesperson.

NIC and the department of electronics and information technology have set up the data portal (data.gov.in) and have been implementing the open government initiative of the country.

So far over 3,500 data sets from 49 departments have been published on the portal.

Some of the apps that have been developed include mandi prices, export import policies, postal services, habitation level facility of piped water and sanitation.

These are available through http://data.gov.in and one can install those in a smartphone or access, using a web browser for availing enhanced government information and services.