New Delhi: India has taken another step towards making government data easier to use with artificial intelligence. The National Statistics Office (NSO) has launched the beta version of a new Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for its eSankhyiki portal, the national platform for official statistics. The launch was announced on Thursday by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The new MCP server enables users to access AI tools with direct connections to government data without having to download huge files. It is aimed at citizens, researchers, startups, and businesses intending to have access to reliable data faster. The initiative is a wider effort toward modernisation of the Indian data infrastructure and to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

What the MCP server does?

The MCP server allows users to make real-time queries to official datasets by their own AI applications. It is now possible to automate reports, merge several datasets, and perform sophisticated analysis with the minimum effort. Users are able to concentrate on insights and outcomes rather than wasting time on data extraction.

It has seven key data products in the beta release, which are the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Consumer Price Index, Annual Survey of Industries, Index of Industry Production, National Accounts Statistics, Wholesale Price Index and Environmental Statistics. The addition of more datasets will be done progressively, according to feedback and system readiness.

Boost for data-driven Governance

The MCP server, according to NSO, is one of the major building blocks in Viksit Bharat, which will aid in quicker and more transparent decisions on policy. The platform eliminates technical barriers, which can enable policymakers with updated figures instantly, as well as provide a single access point with official statistics to both businesses and researchers.

The project also captures the movement by the government to remain technology-agnostic in data systems, thus capable of adapting to the broad spectrum of existing AI technology.

Linked to India’s AI agenda

This is launched just prior to the AI Impact Summit, which is scheduled between February 15 and 20, 2026. It is also in tandem with the objectives of the Working Group 6 on Democratising AI that is being led by Dr Saurabh Garg, a secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

According to the officials, the MCP server demonstrates the desire to change policy into practice. The ministry official site can be used by users to find out about the platform and technical documentation, and additional enhancements are anticipated in the next several months.