India on track to become world’s data capital: NITI Aayog

India is poised to become the data capital of the world, according to a new report released by NITI Aayog. The government think tank stressed that data will function as the “currency of the digital economy,” driving innovation, business valuations, and global leadership.

The report highlighted that India’s scale, diversity, and expanding digital infrastructure give it a unique edge. By placing trusted, interoperable, and high-quality data at the core, India could set international benchmarks in building robust digital ecosystems.

To achieve this, the report suggested several measures:

Establishing an anonymised public data collection framework, led by the India Data Management Office (IDMO) and the National Data Access Platform.

Creating a certified marketplace for non-personalised data, equipped with privacy tags and quality certifications.

Developing sector-specific data platforms such as:

Financial services: Cross-industry access to alternative datasets with safeguards for borrowers.

Manufacturing: A “Manufacturing Data Grid” to share production and supply-chain data.

Pharmaceuticals: A national omics dataset by sequencing 10 million genomes by 2035 to support AI-led drug discovery.

Automotive: An anonymized telemetry database to boost safety and innovation.

Currently, the government’s AI Kosh, under the India AI Mission, houses over 350 curated non-personal datasets, including census data, satellite imagery, and Indian language resources. The report noted that while this forms a solid foundation, expanding into high-value domains such as genomics and manufacturing telemetry is crucial.

The Aayog further recommended setting up sector-specific data infrastructure integrated with AI Kosh, publishing sector-wide AI repositories for supervisory oversight, and embedding AI into Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to deliver inclusive and affordable services at scale.

If implemented effectively, these initiatives could transform India into a globally trusted hub for data innovation, cementing its position as a leader in the digital economy.