In this second part of this episode Suresh Goyal, Director General, NCAER, continues a conversation with Prof. Sonalde Desai, Centre Director, NCAER–National Data Innovation Centre, and Adil Zainulbhai, Former Chairman, McKinsey India and former Chairman, Capacity Building Commission of India, on how India can build a more responsive, evidence-led future by collecting and using trusted data.  

The discussion explores: 

• Why data should move beyond informing policy to enabling real-time action and better public service delivery
• How AI can democratise access to data, making evidence more accessible to policymakers, journalists and citizens
• The balance between data sharing, privacy and public trust in an increasingly connected digital ecosystem
• Why longitudinal household surveys reveal insights that high-frequency and administrative data alone cannot
• How poverty in India is becoming increasingly dynamic, requiring a rethink of social protection and safety nets
• The opportunities and limitations of alternative data sources—from UPI and FASTag to GSTN and satellite imagery—in economic and social policymaking
• Why strengthening statistical capacity, validating new data sources, and making research more accessible are essential for better governance 

From reimagining social safety nets to exploring how AI can make high-quality evidence more usable, this episode examines how India can harness data responsibly to improve policymaking, strengthen public institutions, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.