Data Interoperability and Standards

Interoperability as the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged.

Interoperability in the government sector has emerged as an important issue due to spread of independent E-Government projects which often are uncoordinated. New resources are added independently and old resources change rapidly. Interoperability focuses on the need of the diverse ICT systems and components developed by different vendors using different technologies, should work in seamless manner, exchange information and use exchanged information without technology barrier.

To overcome these challenges, NeGP has set out certain Guidelines to ensure Standards and

Interoperability is ensured. The Framework of Standards under NeGP includes

• National Policy on Open Standards
• Localization and Language Technology Standards
  • Character Encoding Standards
  • Font Standards
• Metadata and Data Standards
• Quality Assurance and Conformance Standards
• Network and Information Security Standards
• Framework of Policies and Guidelines for Common Infrastructure
  • SDC guidelines
  • SWAN Guidelines
  • CSC policies
• .IN Domain name policies

Though the policies under NeGP have only advisory status, they are important from the point of view of ensuring Standards and Interoperability.

To ensure Interoperability among e-Governance applications, Department of Information Technology has setup an Institutional mechanism for formulation of Standards through collaborative efforts of stakeholders like National Informatics Centre (NIC), Standardization Testing and Quality Certification( STQC), other Government departments, Academia, Technology Experts, Domain Experts, Industry, BIS, NGOs etc. In this process there is a provision of formal Public review also.

The duly approved standards by Government’s Apex body consisting of Senior Strategic members from: DIT, NIC, NASCOM, BIS,CDAC, Planning Commission etc. are released on the web site http://egovstandards.gov.in by NIC for free download and usage.