Event Data.Gov.in

In order to boost innovation through Open Government Data by engaging start-up & developer community to build an open data ecosystem,the National Informatics Centre (NIC) organised the #OpenDataApps Challenge in association with NASSCOM.The Challenge was launched on August 8, 2013 by Hon’ble Minister of Communications & Information Technology and Minister of Law & Justice in the Conference on #OpenDataApps for Innovation in Governance at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The entrepreneurs, developers from industry and community were invited to create unique and useful Apps across platforms and devices ranging from Mobile/Tablet, text-based SMS to voice-based applications using Open Government Data.

The winners of the #OpenDataApps Challenge were felicitated by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) on February 18, 2014 at Auditorium, SCOPE Convention Centre, CGO Complex, New Delhi .

A total of 99 applications pertaining to various sectors i.e. Agriculture, Postal, Governance, Health, etc. were submitted from across the country for the Challenge. Cash prizes worth Rs. 1 lakh each to three of the winners and Rs. 50,000 to each of the runners up were given.

The Beta release of ‘Open Government Data Platform India – data.gov.in’ (formerly known as Data Portal India) was also launched during the ceremony.

The ceremony started with welcome address by Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Joint Secretary, DeitY. Applauding the joint initiative of NIC and NASSCOM, he emphasized on importance of the data-driven innovation.

Sri Rajiv Gauba, Additional Secretary, DeitY gave an overview of the #OpenDataApps Challenge, its submission and evaluation process for selecting the winners. He laid stress on value addition in the growing number of Open Government Datasets on the data.gov.in through such initiatives. He also gave an insight of openness in the governance heralded by the Open Government Data initiative of India.

The ceremony proceeded with an overview of the Open Government Data (OGD) and industry Participation by Shri. R. Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM. Appreciating the efforts of the #OpenDataApps Challenge participants, Shri. R. Chandrashekhar emphasized on strengthening the community collaboration as well as on encouraging start-ups for harnessing the benefits and power of Open Data. It is a unique collaboration of government, industry as well as society at large.

Dr. B. K. Gairola, Mission Director (e-Governance), DeitY, in his address elaborated on the Open Government Data Initiative of India. He highlighted that the Government Ministries/Departments/Organizations are releasing valuable datasets on data.gov.in in compliance with the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) for use, re-use and re-distribution by the public. He also highlighted that the data-driven innovation is essential to make the Open Government Data Initiative more relevant and useful for citizens. And, departments should take up this initiative proactively.

Delivering his address, Shri. J. Satyanarayana , Secretary, DeitY, emphasized on boosting the community collaboration for making the Open Government Data Platform – data.gov.in – more relevant for citizens. Shri. J. Satyanarayana also released the next version of the Open Government Data Platform. He emphasized on quality and relevancy of data being published for public consumption, as it would lead to development of more and more useful applications for societal good. The aim is to achieve ‘3C’ of data i.e. Correctness, Completeness and Current.

Dr. Shefali Sushil Dash, DG, NIC gave vote of thanks. The ceremony ended with the felicitation of the #OpenDataApps Challenge winners and runners up amid enthusiasm.

View Shortlisted Apps