The Indian government is contemplating the establishment of a specialised organisation, known as the National Data Management Office, with the purpose of supervising the administration and control of non-personal and anonymized personal data. The envisioned entity will operate under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and will be responsible for defining regulations pertaining to data management, particularly within government entities. It intends to institute uniform data access procedures and collaborate with diverse ministries, private entities, and state governments to construct extensive data collections. Additionally, the government plans to devise guidelines and criteria for various digital systems through this institution.

Why does this matter?

This step is in response to the increasing significance of data as a valuable asset. This endeavour closely resembles similar initiatives in Saudi Arabia. The introduction of the Digital India Bill, which encompasses this proposition, is anticipated in the forthcoming parliamentary session during winter.