The National Statistics Office (NSO) has taken major digital leap by launching the beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server for the eSankhyiki portal. Announced on 6 February 2026, this move aims to make government data AI-ready. The new system allows users to directly connect official datasets with their own AI tools and applications, without downloading bulky files. The initiative is designed to improve data access, speed up analysis, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
What Is the MCP Server
- The MCP Server is a new technology framework that allows direct querying of datasets using Artificial Intelligence tools.
- Instead of manually downloading spreadsheets or PDFs, users can now access live government data through a single digital connection.
- For researchers, analysts, startups, and policymakers, this means less time spent on data handling and more focus on insights.
- By making official statistics compatible with AI systems, the NSO is modernising how public data is consumed and used across sectors.
Role of eSankhyiki Portal in Official Statistics
- The eSankhyiki portal is India’s national platform for official statistics.
- Managed by the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, it hosts verified economic and social data.
- With the launch of the MCP Server, eSankhyiki now moves beyond being a data repository to becoming an AI-integrated data service.
- This upgrade improves accessibility for citizens, businesses, and government departments alike.
Datasets Included in the Beta Version of MCP Server
- The current beta release of the MCP Server includes seven key datasets widely used in exams and policymaking.
- These are the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Consumer Price Index, Annual Survey of Industries, Index of Industrial Production, National Account Statistics, Wholesale Price Index, and Environmental Statistics.
- These datasets cover employment, inflation, industrial output, GDP, and sustainability indicators. More datasets from the eSankhyiki portal will be added gradually based on feedback and technical readiness.
How MCP Server Benefits Users
- The MCP Server allows users to automate reports, integrate official data into dashboards, and access multiple datasets through one interface.
- For policymakers, it enables real-time, data-driven decisions.
- Businesses can use updated statistics for market planning, while researchers can run AI-based analysis without manual data preparation.
- The initiative reduces data barriers and makes government statistics technology-agnostic, fitting easily into tools people already use.
Link with Viksit Bharat and AI Impact Summit
- The MCP Server is a step towards building digital data infrastructure for Viksit Bharat.
- Its launch ahead of the AI Impact Summit scheduled from 15-20 February 2026 highlights India’s proactive approach to AI governance.
- The initiative aligns with Working Group 6 on Democratising AI, chaired by Dr. Saurabh Garg, which focuses on making AI accessible and inclusive through open data systems.
About NSO and Data Innovation in India
- The National Statistics Office is responsible for collecting, compiling, and publishing official statistics in India.
- In recent years, NSO has focused on data innovation, open access, and digital platforms.
- Initiatives like eSankhyiki and now the MCP Server reflect a shift from static data dissemination to interactive, AI-enabled data ecosystems, supporting transparency and participatory governance.
Question
Q. The MCP Server launched by NSO is primarily aimed at,
A. Increasing data storage capacity
B. Making government data compatible with AI tools
C. Restricting access to official statistics
D. Promoting private data platforms