SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the establishment of Data Strategy Units (DSUs) in all Administrative Departments to improve data interoperability, strengthen data governance and create a robust framework for data management across departments.
According to Government Order No. 1249-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated July 24, 2026, issued by the General Administration Department, each DSU will be headed by the Administrative Secretary concerned as Chairperson. The Head of the Planning Unit will serve as Member Secretary, while the Head of the Accounts Unit, a Special Secretary or Additional Secretary to the Government, and a representative from the Information Technology Department or other technical staff from IT-related fields will be members.
The order also nominates the Head of the Planning Unit in every Administrative Department as the Chief Data Officer (CDO), while the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Jammu and Kashmir, has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing the initiative.
The Data Strategy Units will identify departmental datasets and their sources, ensure periodic updating of data, prepare and maintain metadata, oversee data quality assurance, facilitate API integration and interoperability, coordinate with the nodal agency on data governance and management, and implement directions issued by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and other Government of India ministries.
The Chief Data Officers will be responsible for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of metadata sheets, ensuring compliance with approved data governance standards and protocols, authorising departmental data sharing, safeguarding data privacy, security and confidentiality, convening regular DSU meetings, and coordinating with the nodal agency for data harmonisation.
As the nodal agency, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics will establish a dedicated Data Harmonisation Cell, develop standards for data harmonisation and metadata management, create and maintain a State Data Catalogue, assess and improve data quality, develop a Data Harmonisation Portal, facilitate inter-departmental data sharing and API integration, provide technical guidance, organise training and awareness programmes, monitor compliance with data governance standards, and implement directions issued by MoSPI, MeitY and other Central ministries.
The government has directed all Administrative Departments to extend full cooperation to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics to ensure the effective implementation of the new data governance framework.
