Administrative data has become a strategic asset for governance in India, offering granular insights that enhance decision-making. Over the past decade, the digitalization of public services has led to a significant increase in available data across various socio-economic sectors. Ministries and departments now utilize internal Management Information Systems (MIS) and dashboards, such as the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) and the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Tracker. However, the true potential of these datasets can be realized through harmonization, which allows for the integration of information from different sources, providing more meaningful insights. To facilitate this, the National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0) has been introduced, establishing common frameworks for data presentation and sharing. This initiative emphasizes the importance of data quality, standard definitions, and unique identifiers to improve interoperability across datasets. With advancements in AI and machine learning, the analytical potential of these harmonized datasets expands, enabling smarter policies and driving transformative development. As emphasized in a recent speech by the secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), integrating data is essential for turning numbers into actionable knowledge.