NSO Launches Beta Model Context Protocol Server to Make eSankhyiki Data AI-Ready

NSO Unveils MCP-Enabled Access to Official Statistics

The National Statistics Office (NSO), functioning under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has introduced a beta version of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server linked to the eSankhyiki portal. The initiative is designed to modernise access to government datasets by enabling machine-readable, application-level connectivity for analysts, institutions and public users.

Real-Time Data Interaction Through MCP

The MCP framework allows authorised tools and applications to interact directly with official datasets without the need for bulk downloads. Users can run live queries, automate dashboards and integrate multiple statistical series into their own analytical environments. This architecture reduces data-handling overheads while improving timeliness, version control and reproducibility in evidence-based analysis.

Initial Dataset Coverage

In its pilot phase, the server provides access to seven high-demand statistical outputs: the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), National Account Statistics (NAS), Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Environmental Statistics. The NSO has indicated that additional series hosted on eSankhyiki will be incorporated incrementally as technical validation and user testing progress.

Strengthening Data Infrastructure for Governance

By enabling programmatic access to authoritative data, the platform is expected to support faster policy evaluation, improved inter-departmental data exchange and wider public utilisation of official statistics. The move aligns with ongoing efforts to standardise metadata, enhance interoperability across ministries and promote transparent dissemination practices.

Integration with India’s AI Ecosystem

The rollout ahead of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 signals a deliberate push to align statistical dissemination with contemporary AI workflows. The MCP interface supports integration with widely used analytics and machine learning environments, reflecting the broader objective of democratising access to high-quality public datasets and enabling innovation across academia, industry and government.

Exam-Focused Points

• National Statistics Office (NSO) operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) .

• eSankhyiki serves as India’s central portal for dissemination of official statistics.

• Model Context Protocol (MCP) enables direct, machine-readable querying of datasets.

• Initial coverage includes PLFS, CPI, ASI, IIP, NAS, WPI and Environmental Statistics .

• The initiative supports data-driven governance and AI-compatible public data access.