1. API:The term Application Programming Interface (API) means any mechanism that allows a system or service to access data or functionality provided by another system or service. The API is generally used to interact (like query, list, search, sometimes submit & update) directly with the specific information on a system, to trigger some action on other systems, or to perform some other action on other systems.
2. Domain: A sub-category under an Information Technology field is a Domain; specific purpose within a “Domain” is known as “Area”. For example, “Document type for Web publishing content” is one Area under the “Presentation” domain.
3. Government organization: For the purpose of this policy, a Government organisation refers to all Ministries/ Departments/ offices/ statutory bodies/ autonomous bodies, both at the Central and State levels. Government organizations offering commercial services are not included.
4. e-Governance: A procedural approach in which the Government and the citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders are able to transact all or part of their activities using Information and Communication Technology tools.
5. Systems: A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole. Information System is a combination of people, hardware, software, communication devices, network and data resources that processes (can be storing, retrieving, transforming information) data and information for a specific purpose.
6. Legacy System: An old method, technology, computer system, or application program that continues to be used, typically because it still functions for the users' needs, even though newer technology or more efficient methods of performing a task are now available.
7. New version of Legacy System: The legacy system which has undergone a major version change due to re-engineering like functional changes, architectural changes, technology changes, change in storage mechanism, design implementation changes etc.
8. Open API: Open API is the API that has been exposed to enable other systems to interact with that system. Open API may be either integrated with the host application or may be an additional piece of software that exposes any proprietary API with an Open API equivalent. The Open API, whenever possible, may be free of charge and without restrictions for reuse & modifications.
9. Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance:The Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance provides a framework for the selection of Standards to facilitate interoperability between systems developed by multiple agencies. It is available at https://egovstandards.gov.in/sites/default/files/Policy/Policy%20On%20Open%20Standards/Policy_on_Open_Standards_for_e-Governance_Ver1.0.pdf
10. Technical Standards on Interoperability Framework for e-Governance:This document describes technical standards to be adopted for e-Governance application in the areas covered, as per the Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance. Available at https://egovstandards.gov.in/sites/default/files/Published_Standards/Technical%20Standards%20for%20IFEG/Technical_Standards_for_IFEG_Ver1.0.pdf.
11. National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP-2012):The objective of this policy is to facilitate access to Government of India owned shareable data and information in both human readable and machine readable forms through a network all over the country in a proactive and periodically updatable manner, within the framework of various related policies, Acts and rules of Government of India, thereby permitting a wider accessibility and use of public data and information. It is available at http://ogpl.gov.in/NDSAP/NDSAP-30Jan2012.pdf
12. National Cyber Security Policy 2013: The objective of this policy is to protect information and information infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats, reduce vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents through a combination of institutional structures, people, processes, technology and cooperation. It is available at http://deity.gov.in/content/national-cyber-security-policy-2013-1
Though there are a number of e-Governance applications, each one delivering some services, citizens are usually required to contact individual departments whenever they need services concerning multiple departments. This is because the departmental applications/ databases are not inter-connected and do not have data exchange facility amongst themselves. This creates hassles for common persons as they are not able to get end-to-end service through a single window mechanism.
With the adoption of open APIs and integration amongst applications through open APIs, citizens would be able to get various services by filling a single application form, even when such an integrated service might need processing from multiple Government departments and agencies. In the background, systems would talk to each other and would facilitate data and information exchange leading to service delivery at the end. This would provide convenience to both citizens and businesses in availing various Government services.
For example, various travel sites are currently providing the railway ticketing services as their systems can talk to railway systems in real time, which is being facilitated through open APIs. Once the e-Governance projects start adopting open APIs, common citizens will be able to avail multiple services by submitting single application form.
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