NIC National Informatics centre

about the national informatics centre

2. NIC is closely associated with the government in different aspects of governance by establishing a
nationwide state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure and services for Central Government, State Govern-
ments, UT Administrations, Districts and other Government bodies. It offers a wide range of services
which includes multi gigabit nationwide networks NICNET, NKN, National Data Centres, National
Cloud, pan India VC infrastructure, Command and Control Centre, multi-layered GIS based plat-
form, Domain Registration and Webcast. This plays a significant role in delivering citizen centric e-
services.
NIC Headquarters

National Informatics Centre (NIC) was established in 1976, and has rich experience in providing ICT
and eGovernance support to the Government for the last 4 decades and bridge the digital divide. It
has emerged as a promoter of digital opportunities for sustainable development. NIC spearheaded
“Informatics-Led-Development” by implementing ICT applications in social and public administration
and facilitates electronic delivery of services to the government (G2G), business (G2B), citizen
(G2C) and government employee (G2E). NIC, through its ICT Network, “NICNET”, has institutional
linkages with all the Ministries /Departments of the Central Government, 37 State Governments/ Un-
ion Territories, and about 720+ District Administrations of India.
NIC has been closely associated with the Government in different aspects of Governance besides
establishing a Nationwide State-of-the-Art ICT Infrastructure, it has also built a large number of digi-
tal solutions to support the government at various levels, making the last-mile delivery of govern-
ment services to the citizens a reality.
The following major activities are being undertaken:
 Setting up of ICT Infrastructure
 Implementation of National and State Level e-Governance Projects/Products
 Consultancy to the Government departments
 Research & Development
 Capacity Building

State Offices
National Informatics Centre (NIC) provides nationwide ICT infrastructure to support e-Governance
services and various initiatives of Digital India. NIC has been associated with design and develop-
ment of software for improving delivery of services undertaken by government departments at State
and District level.
ICT infrastructure of NIC viz. NICNET, NKN, LAN, Mini Data Centre, Video conference studios, mes-
saging service, Webcast facilities are the key constituents of NIC services across all 37 States/ UTs
and 720+ Districts.

In order to design, development and implementation of various eGovernance initiatives and Digital
India programme, NIC State Centres along with their respective District Centers are continually en-
gaged to automate and accelerate eGovernance processes in close interaction with Government
Departments.

3. District Offices
National Informatics Centre (NIC)provides nationwide ICT infrastructure to support e-Governance
services and various initiatives of Digital India. In order to design, development and implementation
of various eGovernance initiatives and Digital India programme, NIC State Centre in 36 States/
UTs along with 708 District Centers are continually engaged to automate and accelerate eGovern-
ance processes in close interaction with users of the departments.
ICT infrastructure of NIC viz. NICNET, NKN, LAN, Mini Data Centre, Videoconference studios, mes-
saging service, Webcast facilities are the key constituents of NIC services.
In way of theses ICT infrastructure, NIC District Centres are playing diverse role right from executing
various projects under e-Governance and Digital India initiatives to day-to-day ICT-driven technical
support to consultancy to various departments in the district.
New ICT initiatives at the behest of District Magistrates are also being undertaken for design & de-
velopment under their guidance and technical support of District Informatics Officer (DIO) and Addl.
District Informatics Officer (ADIO).
District Administration with support from NIC is executing and implementing e-governance and Digi-
tal India initiatives to the grass root level in achieving transparent, efficient and responsive govern-
ance by providing ICT-led developments e.g. NICNET and NKN Connectivity, Video Conferencing,
Projects Implementation, Capacity building, eMail and SMSs services, ICT implementation in dis-
tricts including Software Development, Technical Support to VVIP Events and DeitY Programmes
e.g. Digital India, CSCs, DISHA, e-Governance Society etc.

4. Services provided by NIC
 Government Local Area Networks (LANs)
Connecting government
 Video Conferencing
Boosting productivity, saving time & money and increasing overall collaboration
 NKN
Multi-Gigabyte-Pan-India-Network connecting Knowledge Institutions
 Messaging
Backbone of Government communication in India
 Remote Sensing & GIS
Location based Electronic Delivery of Services for Planning & Governance
 Webcast
On-demand web cast services for important National, International and regional events
 Domain Registration
Digital Identity for the Government.
 National Cloud
Accelerating delivery of e-services by optimising utilization of infrastructure
 Command and Control Centre
A nation-wide view of ICT infrastructure of all critical Govt services
 NICNET
Pan India communication network for Government
 Data Centre
Core of e-Governance Infrastructure in India
 Security
Securing Critical Govt Cyber Infrastructure

5. Recent initiatives by NIC
Hon’ble PM launched NIC developed ‘CHAMPIONS’ Portal, a Technology driven Control
Room-Cum-Management Information System, for the MSME sector
CHAMPIONS which stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for
Increasing the Output and National Strength. The system utilising modern ICT tools is aimed at
assisting Indian MSMEs march into big league as National and Global CHAMPIONS.
It is a technology packed control room-cum-management information system. In addition to ICT
tools including telephone, internet and video conference, the system is enabled by Artificial Intel-
ligence, Data Analytics and Machine Learning. It is also fully integrated on real time basis with
GOI’s main grievances portal CPGRAMS and MSME Ministry’s own other web based mecha-
nisms. The entire ICT architecture is created in house with the help of NIC in no cost.

NIC VC supported launch of ‘National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Portal’ & ‘Responsible AI
for Youth Programme’, by Hon’ble Minister for E&IT
This portal shall work as a one-stop digital platform for AI-related developments in India, sharing
of resources such as articles, startups, investment funds in AI, resources, companies and educa-
tional institutions related to AI in India

NIC is supporting ‘Dept. of Food & Public Distribution’ to ensure smooth delivery of food
grains to beneficiaries in their States, amid COVID-19
Due to the covid-19 crisis, a new scheme “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-
GKAY)” has been introduced for three months, effective April 2020, for free distribution of @5 Kg
grains i.e. wheat/Rice per person and @1 Kg pulses per ration card per month to all NFSA card
holders through 5.3 Lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS), during the lockdown period.
NIC is tirelessly supporting ‘Dept. of Food & Public Distribution’ with its S/w application & coordi-
nation with States, to ensure smooth delivery of food grains to beneficiaries in their States, amid
COVID-19 induced countrywide lockdown.

e-Market Kurukshetra’ Mobile App gives a platform to service provider & seeker to con-
nect for delivery of essential items/services in the region
NIC Kurukshetra developed ‘e-Market Kurukshetra’ Mobile App provides a common platform for
service provider & citizens to meet their needs for home delivery of essential items & services, in
the region amid COVID-19 lockdown.

NIC’s technology enabled e-learning solutions across several States are ensuring conti-
nuity of School Academic Curriculum during COVID-19
NIC is providing various technology enabled e-learning solutions across several States such as
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu etc. These solutions are
not only supporting the sustenance of School Academic Curriculum during COVID-19 induced
lockdown but also making online classes more engrossing for kids.

6. NIC developed S/w to implement “One Nation – One Ration Card”, ensures that resident of a
State can take ration from any other State in India
Department of Food and Public Distribution has launched IM-PDS scheme with the main compo-
nents as National Portability, De-Duplication, creation of Central Repository and Data Analytics.
To achieve the above objectives, a central repository has been created by getting the Ration Card
data of all the States and duplicate members based on aadhaar number have been identified. Web
services have been developed for sharing of monthly data by States. The ration cards with duplicate
member IDs are made ineligible for National portability.
NIC has developed a S/w to implement “One Nation – One Ration Card”, under IMPDS Scheme of
Dept. of Food & Public Distribution to ensure that resident of a State can take ration from any other
State in India.

Special services

 e-Urvarak
Fertiliser Assurance and Timely Availability

 Public Distribution System
Cost-effective, fast and targeted delivery of food grains

 e-Counselling
Simplifying the Admission Process

 National Scholarships Portal
One-stop solution for scholarship process

 NREGASoft
Strengthening National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

 Government e-Procurement System
Simplifying government procurement/tendering system

 eTransport
Easy access of Transport related services & information

 Mid Day Meal – Automated Reporting Mgmt System
Automated Reporting Management System for Mid Day Meal scheme


NIC - Projects in Tamil Nadu
 Vahan & Sarathi - Computerisation at Regional Transport Offices
 Intra Management Information System for Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
 E-Karuvoolam : Automated Treasury Offices

7.  e-Governance Portal for Directorate of Technical Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
 Systems for Agricultural Marketing
 Computerisation of High Court
 PATRAM - A Postal Accounts Transaction Maintenance Software .
 Systems for Revenue Administration, Disaster Management and Mitigation Department
 SIPCOT - Application Systems
 Information System on Prisoners
 Software Support for MEPZ Special Economic Zone
 BSNL, Chennai- SIM Card Management System
 Finance Department : Allotment and Expenditure(Budget) Monitoring System
 Personnel Information System
 File Management System
 Online Registration for Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission ( TNPSC )
 Census 2011 of Tamil Nadu
 Web sites development and hosting
 Common Integrated Police Administration
 NIC - Tamil Nadu Maps – TNGIS – An Inter-Departmental GIS Platform
 TNGIS is a GIS Portal for Tamil Nadu developed for TNeGA, Tamil Nadu as a GIS Platform for
all Departments of Government of Tamil Nadu and Citizens. The software developed by Na-
tional Informatics Centre (NIC) renders maps of various Departments, including Administrative
Units of the State, enables dynamic spatial queries, analysis, etc on the web
 The entire Portal is designed and developed using Open Source Software and Tools.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
NIC has been continuously working towards a meaningful use of emerging technologies in gov-
ernance across all levels of government. With the objective of focused study of new technology,
and explore and experiment their use in governance, NIC has setup Centres of Excellence for Ar-
tificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. Use of mobile technologies has greatly helped in delivery of
services to citizens along with planning and decision making in the government. Centres of Excel-
lence for application security and Computer Emergency Response Team (NIC-CERT) have been
established to continually protect over 10,000 NIC managed government ICT applications, portals
and websites and other government cyber infrastructure from cyber attacks/threats.
Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology CoE BCT
The Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology will operate as a coordinated, interoperable
blockchain ecosystem around the nation, allowing all partners to benefit from shared learning, ex-
periences and resources. The CoE centre will focus on advancing blockchain technologies, plat-
forms, assets and systems to develop industry understanding and implementation of blockchain
technologies.

8. This CoEBCT will be a platform for innovative new solutions a gateway to test and develop solu-
tions for projects undertaken by NIC at central and state level. NIC CoE team will collaborate with
global experts to lead development and implementation of innovative blockchain solutions from
proof of concept to production. The centre will provide research-led thought leadership and drive
strategic blockchain developments to address complex business problems in governance , to-
wards improving government service delivery.
NIC wants to promote the use of blockchain technologies, facilitate the rapid adaptation and on-
boarding of blockchain based solutions, foster stronger collaboration between the government,
public and private sectors and cooperate to ensure that the latest technological standards are
made available in a safe and trusted manner.The emergence of blockchain technology holds
promise for the government to foster trust and greater transparency about certain data activities
and provide frictionless transactions with the citizens. In addition to the technology; determining
right applications of the technology is a critical factor to accelerate its adoption. As in case of ma-
ture systems, advocates of government blockchain solutions must provide strong evidence that
such investments will save money and improve services that are already in a good shape.
CoEBCT is located at Kendriya Sadan,4th Floor, F-Wing, Koramangala, Bangalore, Karnataka
560034.
NIC- Computer Emergency Response Team NIC-CERT

NIC-CERT Division, is the nodal arm of National Informatics Centre for managing the cyber secu-
rity incidents in NIC. NIC-CERT shall act as a single point of contact and co-ordinate with con-
cerned stakeholders for cyber security incidents targeted at NIC Infrastructure. NIC-CERT shall
undertake measures to issue periodic threat intelligence, Security Alerts/tips and advisories to
safe guard NIC's assets against cyber threats.
Vision
To facilitate a safe and secure cyber space environment for Users of NIC Services, by providing
timely cyber threat intelligence, advisory and best practice, so as to proactively ward off malicious
attacks or threats targeted at National Informatics Centre. .
Mission
NIC-CERT was established with the mission of collectively leading and coordinating the cyber se-
curity incident response and to strengthen the cyber security posture of National Informatics Cen-
tre. The core mission activities of NIC-CERT includes:
 To co-ordinate and respond to Cyber Security incidents happening in NIC.
 To provide Intelligence or advisory on the prevailing Cyber Threats and vulnerabilities, for pro-
actively securing NIC's network and assets.
 To co-ordinate with CERT-IN, NCIIPC and other stakeholders for Cyber Security Incident and
other security related activities.
 To Establish and Maintain a centralized Log Management system for NIC.
 To Maintain a Knowledge base of Cyber Security Incidents handled by NIC-CERT.
 To undertake capacity building activities to augment in-house cyber capability, skills and ex-
pertise.

Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics CEDA
Need for Analytics in Government
Under the Digital India Program, a flagship program of the Government of India, there is an
increased focus on developing IT enabled solutions to improve service delivery. Govern-
ments at all levels – Centre

9. , State and local bodies are making significant investments in e-Governance solutions to re-
alize this vision. This shift to digital ecosystem has led to tremendous growth in data related
to various aspects of Government functions and services.
As the next logical step, government departments are looking to exploit this mount of gold
mine by investing in analytical solutions that can turn this data into insights and promote data
-driven decision making. Advanced analytical techniques and tools make this possible and
offer new ways in which the data can be mined to generate insights, from retrospective anal-
ysis to prospective analysis, helping the decision makers look into the future and plan ac-
cordingly. This will help improve quality of service, planning and monitoring, and various oth-
er aspects of governance.
It is pertinent to note that deriving value from analytical tools requires not only advanced
technical capability to deal with new and complex technologies but more importantly requires
trained and experienced data scientists, data modeling and visualization experts. As with any
new technology, advanced analytics investments are costly, both in terms of the tools re-
quired and the skilled manpower available in the market to take up these projects.

Challenges in adopting Data Analytics in Government
Three major challenges which the government departments face include the following:
1. The first challenge is in determining which data to use, how to source and/ or get it and
finally, how to integrate and prepare it so that appropriate analytics can be performed.
This is particularly relevant if a whole-of-government approach is to be applied in analys-
ing the policies of the government.
2. The second challenge is analytics itself. Analytics is a highly math intensive, modelling
exercise. Getting the right people with the right expertise who knows what mathematical,
statistical or machine learning algorithms to use and have the capability to use the appro-
priate tool is a very big challenge.
3. The third and equally important challenge is how to unleash the insights, interpret them
correctly and convert them into actions that can truly transform governance.
Thus, deriving valuable insights from data requires not only advanced technical capability to
deal with complex and innovative new technologies but more importantly requires trained and
experienced data scientists, data modelling and visualization experts. As with any new tech-
nology, advanced analytics investments are costlier, both in terms of the tools required and
the skilled manpower available in the market to take up these projects.

Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics (CEDA), a joint initiative of NIC and NICSI
In view of the above challenges, NIC and NICSI have come forward with the unique idea of
setting up a Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics (CEDA) under NICSI with the sole vision
of kick-starting and fast-tracking the adoption of advanced analytic and machine learning ca-
pabilities within Government. CEDA would be the the locus of expertise in the field of Data
Analytics. It will provide quality data analytic services to government departments at all levels
as well as to public sector units at the centre as well as in states.