The CAG’s Centre for Data Management and Analytics (CDMA) is going to play a catalytic role to synthesise and integrate relevant data into auditing process. This was stated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India while inaugurating the Centre here today. He said the CDMA will help to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of evidence in the audit process and will be a game changer in the field of public audit.

A brainchild of Shri Shashi Kant Sharma, the CDMA aims to build up capacity in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department in Big Data Analytics to exploit the data rich environment in the Union and State Governments. Shri Sharma had anticipated the challenges posed by such developments in the Government and realised opportunities arising from data analytics. This initiative focuses development of in-house capacity covering the entire workforce working under him. Shri Sharma also indicated that this was only the first milestone in the field of Big Data Analytics. He also hinted that the Centre will be located in a separate building once an appropriate location is identified.

Prior to the setting up of the Centre, the CAG brought out a Big Data Management Policy for the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. A Task force was set up to study the policy document and recommend its implementation. The Task Force in May 2016 recommended setting up this Centre. The Centre is to be equipped with latest analytic tools and infrastructure to assist and guide the Data Analytic Groups constituted in all audit offices of CAG across the country through setting up the data management protocols and steering the data analytic capacity of the department.

This initiative of CAG of India, puts it amongst the pioneers in institutionalising data analytics in government audit in the international community. CAG of India is also a member of an international project on ‘Data Analytics’ under the Working Group on IT Audit of International Organisation for Supreme Audit Institutions.

Data analytics in public audit expands institutional capacity through a national centre to integrate big data into audit evidence. Establishment of a Centre for Data Management and Analytics to integrate big data into the public audit process, enhance the precision and efficiency of audit evidence, implement the Big Data Management Policy, and support Data Analytic Groups across audit offices through data management protocols, analytic tools, infrastructure, and capacity building.