A Centralised Approach to Research Data Management: Proposal for Building a National Digital Repository for Research Data

AbstractThe current Indian RDM landscape is rife with challenges, including inconsistent policies and inadequate institutional support for infrastructure. These issues hinder effective research data sharing and long-term preservation, underscoring the urgent need for a solution. To address these pressing issues, research investigators have evaluated five critical reports, including Implementation Guidelines for National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy; Open Science India Report: Implementing Open Science in India; Open Research Data for India: Policy; Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020; and Policy on open access to DBT and DST funded research, to understand the RDM situation in Indian higher education institutions, focusing on data policies, university library operations, technical solutions, and implementation barriers.The digital infrastructure for data curation services is already available in leading educational institutions, such as all the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). However, research universities lack an effective system for storing and sharing knowledge from studies. The main issues are that libraries lack equipment, library personnel are incompetent with data, and scholars are concerned about confidentiality. The solution to these problems is to establish the National Digital Repository for Research Data (NDRRD). The NDRRD will help Indian science adhere to international Open Science principles by making research more visible and fostering collaboration.In India, three key elements are essential for establishing research data systems: collaboration between institutions, training of researchers, and policy regulations. India must invest in government agencies and develop global technology that combines AI data mining with digital asset ecosystems. These tools will be incredibly significant to the safety, accuracy, and utility of the NDRRD.