Policy on Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by Dr. Rajendra Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary, DeitY

1. Dr. Rajendra Kumar, IAS
Joint Secretary, DeitY
Policy on Open Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs)

2. Background
 Various e-Gov Systems have been implemented with focus
on NeGP
 Independent workflows and various data repositories have
been created
 Lack of interoperability among exiting eGov applications
 Large investments in these projects without much visible
impact

3. NeGP 2.0 (e-Kranti)
 Transformation and not Translation
 Integrated Services and not Individual Services
 GPR to be mandatory in every MMP
 Infrastructure on Demand
 Cloud by Default
 Mobile First
 Fast Tracking Approvals
 Mandating Standards and Protocols
Principles

4. Present Scenario
GoI’s mandate to
 Facilitate single-window concept
 Deliver services electronically
 Ensure efficiency, transparency, reliability
 seamless interoperability of such services
World-wide initiatives on Open Government focus on Open Data and
Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

5. Global Initiatives on Open Government
 Open API Policy National Health Scheme (NHS), UK
 Open Data Policy, New South Wales, Australia Govt.
 Open Government Data, Germany
 Open Data Charter, UK
 Open Data Policy, USA

6. GoI’s Initiatives for Open Government
GoI has notified
“Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance” (Nov 2010)
“National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy” (NDSAP-
2012)
DeitY has formulated a draft “Policy on Open APIs for
Government of India”

7. Need for an Open API Policy
For effective and transparent governance, all data in eGovernance domain
to be made available to public and other Govt. agencies
To create interoperable ecosystem of data, applications and processes
To enable quick integration with other eGovernance applications and
systems

8. Policy Statement
“Government of India shall adopt Open APIs to enable quick and transparent
integration with other e-Governance applications and systems implemented by
various Government Organizations, there by, providing access to data & services
and promoting citizen participation for benefit of the community.”

9. Policy Objectives
Ensure APIs are published by all Government Organisations for all e-
Gov applications and systems
Provide APIs for data collections as well as for making information &
data available to public
Enable quick and transparent integration with other e-Gov applications
and systems
Enable safe and reliable sharing of information & data across various e-
Gov applications, systems and public
Promote and expedite innovation through the availability of data from
systems to the public

10. Policy Implementation
Mechanism
To formulate detailed implementation guidelines for rapid and effective
adoption of the policy
To publish the open APIs, so that the public can access relevant
information and data from e-Governance applications and systems
Publish open APIs to integrate with the e-Gov applications and systems
Integrate through the messaging gateway of DeitY built on open
standards
Ensure compliance with eGovernance notified standards for developing
APIs

11. Methodology followed by DeitY
 Policy published on MyGov portal for public feedback –
24th
Oct 2014
 Consultative Workshop with Industry, Govt. Departments
and Academia for feedback - 30th
October 2014
 Industry feedback through NASSCOM
 Feedback/suggestions received have been evaluated and
appropriately incorporated in the draft policy

12. Thank You!
Rajendra.ias@gov.in
jsegov@deity.gov.in