Policy on Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for Government of India

What is it?

This policy encourages the formal use of Open APIs in Government organizations. This policy sets out the Government’s approach on the use of “Open APIs” to promote software interoperability for all e-Governance applications & systems and provide access to data & services for promoting the participation of all stakeholders including citizens.

Implementation of the API Gateway shall provide an enabling platform for proactive and open access to the data generated by various ministries/departments/organizations of the Government of India. This platform shall provide means for API repository, API Lifecycle Management, and collaboration while sharing data responsibly, reliably, and securely.

Objectives

To set up an ecosystem for the publishing of APIs by all Government organizations for all eGovernance applications and systems.
To enable quick and transparent software integration with e-Governance applications and systems.
To enable API first approach, enabling an ecosystem of micro-services and related cost savings
To promote safe and reliable information and data sharing across various e-Governance applications and systems.
To expedite innovation by means of data availability to the Industry and public, from eGovernance applications and systems
Provide enabling environment to Government organizations to develop, publish and implement Open APIs.

National e-Governance Division along with Security Partner Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC), MeitY proposed to develop an API gateway to realize the above objectives

National e-Governance Division

In 2009, National e-Governance Division was created by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology as an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation {erstwhile Media Lab Asia}. Since 2009, NeGD has been playing a pivotal role in supporting the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology in Programme Management and implementation of e-Governance projects and initiatives undertaken by Ministries/ Departments, both at the Central and State levels.

What are Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)?

API is a computing interface that defines interactions between multiple software intermediaries. It defines the kinds of calls or requests that can be made, how to make them, the data formats that should be used, the conventions to follow, etc
In other words, API is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Each time you use an app like Facebook, send an instant message or check the weather on your phone, you’re using an API.
For example, When you use an application on your mobile phone, the application connects to the Internet and sends data to a server. The server then retrieves that data, interprets it, performs the necessary actions and sends it back to your phone.

Source: PIB & Meity