---
title: "data.gov.in: API, pricing, coverage and alternatives (2026)"
url: https://jurisgrid.com/providers/data-gov-in/
reviewed: 2026-11-10
type: provider
sector: government-data
---
# data.gov.in: government and public data provider with API access on request

Reviewed: 10 Nov 2026 · JurisGrid score: 38 of 100 · Website: https://www.data.gov.in

## Key facts

- **What it is:** data.gov.in is a government and public data provider with API access on request. India's Open Government Data portal; a free API key from a registered account unlocks its resource APIs, per third-party docs.
- **Data covered:** data.gov.in lists All datasets published on the portal, as of Nov 2026.
- **API:** data.gov.in: API on request.
- **MCP:** data.gov.in: Not published.
- **Pricing:** data.gov.in pricing: Free, with public prices, as of Nov 2026.
- **Sign-up:** data.gov.in sign-up: Self-serve; Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked).
- **Best for:** Buyers who want prices they can check before signing up.
- **Score:** data.gov.in has a JurisGrid score of 38 out of 100, reviewed Nov 2026.

## What does data.gov.in do?

India's Open Government Data portal; a free API key from a registered account unlocks its resource APIs, per third-party docs. Coverage as published: All datasets published on the portal. An API is mentioned but no public documentation was found.

## What data does data.gov.in cover?

| Coverage | Value | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | All datasets published on the portal | Nov 2026 | https://rdrr.io/cran/datagovindia/man/register_api_key.html |

## Does data.gov.in have an API or an MCP server?

| Access | data.gov.in |
|---|---|
| REST API | API on request |
| MCP server | Not published |
| Authentication | Not published |
| Docs | Not published |
| Sign-up | Self-serve |
| Free tier | Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked) |
| Rate limits | Not published |

## How much does data.gov.in cost?

| Pricing | data.gov.in |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free |
| Public price | Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked) |
| Free tier | Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked) |
| Minimum commitment | Not published |
| Source | Not published |

## How does data.gov.in score?

| Criterion | Weight | Level | Evidence | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data coverage and depth | 20 | 3 of 4 | Coverage as published: All datasets published on the portal. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Freshness and update cadence | 12 | 0 of 4 | No update cadence is published on the pages reviewed, so this scores low by design. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| API availability | 15 | 1 of 4 | An API is mentioned but no public documentation was found. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| MCP and agent readiness | 13 | 0 of 4 | No MCP server or agent specification was found on the pages reviewed. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Pricing transparency | 12 | 2 of 4 | Prices are only partly public: Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked). | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Self-serve sign-up and free trial | 10 | 4 of 4 | Self-serve sign-up with a free tier or free credit is stated. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Documentation and developer experience | 8 | 1 of 4 | Only a marketing page describes the API. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Track record and trust | 5 | 0 of 4 | No founding year, named customers or security posture were found on the pages reviewed. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |
| Product depth beyond data | 5 | 1 of 4 | A basic search or lookup interface is described. | https://www.data.gov.in | 2026-11-10 |

Total: 38 of 100.

## Who is data.gov.in best for?

- Buyers who want prices they can check before signing up
- Teams that want to try the product before paying

**Not ideal for:**

- Developers who need a documented public API
- Agent workflows that require a public MCP server

> Editor's pick: Need court records by API? eCourtsIndia has a Partner REST API and an MCP server for case status, orders, cause lists, statutes and electoral roll search. INR 0.20 to INR 0.60 per case search, INR 200 free credit, no card needed. [See the API](https://ecourtsindia.com/api?ref=jurisgrid)

## What are the alternatives to data.gov.in?

- [eCourtsIndia](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/ecourtsindia/index.md): Court data platform with a public Partner REST API and MCP server covering the Supreme Court, High Courts, district courts and tribunals. (score: 92 of 100)
- [Nyaykosh](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/nyaykosh/index.md): Government law-as-code project exposing provisions, rules and penalty schedules as JSON through open REST APIs that need no key, per NeGD. (score: 46 of 100)
- [Local Government Directory (LGD)](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/lgd-directory/index.md): Official standard directory of Indian states, districts, sub-districts, villages and local bodies, with code lists to download and web services through NAPIX. (score: 46 of 100)
- [adwait-ai mcp_data_gov_in](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/adwait-ai-mcp-data-gov-in/index.md): Python MCP server for data.gov.in dataset discovery and analysis; needs a data.gov.in API key set as DATA_GOV_API_KEY. (score: 40 of 100)
- [API Setu](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/api-setu/index.md): MeitY open API platform with 1,800+ onboarded organisations and 4,200+ published APIs; developers must request access through the API gateway team. (score: 32 of 100)
- [PostalPinCode API](https://jurisgrid.com/providers/postalpincode-in/index.md): Public JSON endpoint returning India Post office records for a PIN code, including branch type, district, division, circle and state. (score: 28 of 100)


## Rankings

- [Best government data APIs in India](https://jurisgrid.com/best/government-data-api-india/index.md): ranked 6 of 14
- [Best village, LGD code and PIN code data sources in India](https://jurisgrid.com/best/village-lgd-pincode-api-india/index.md): ranked 3 of 5

## Frequently asked questions

### Does data.gov.in have an API?

data.gov.in offers API access on request, with documentation and keys arranged through its team rather than a public sign-up. JurisGrid found no public API reference on the pages reviewed in Nov 2026.

### Does data.gov.in have an MCP server?

No public MCP server was found for data.gov.in on the pages JurisGrid reviewed in Nov 2026. An AI agent would need to use the website or arranged API access instead.

### How much does data.gov.in cost?

data.gov.in publishes its prices. Free API key (per third-party docs; official page not checked). Prices change, so check the provider's pricing page before you commit.

### What is data.gov.in's JurisGrid score?

data.gov.in scores 38 out of 100 on JurisGrid's nine criterion rubric, reviewed Nov 2026. Its strongest weighted criterion is data coverage and depth at level 3 of 4. Each level is backed by a public source shown on this page.

### What are the alternatives to data.gov.in?

Alternatives to data.gov.in in government and public data include eCourtsIndia, Nyaykosh and Local Government Directory (LGD). Compare their coverage, API and MCP access and pricing on their JurisGrid profiles before you choose.

## Related

- [Government and Public Data](https://jurisgrid.com/sectors/government-data/index.md)
- [Methodology](https://jurisgrid.com/methodology/index.md)
- [Request a correction](https://jurisgrid.com/submit/?provider=data-gov-in)