In a step towards liberalisation of the geospatial industry in India, the department of science and technology (DST) launched the self-certification portal for conveying adherence to provisions of geospatial guidelines by individuals, companies, organisations and government agencies.

Growth of Indian geospatial market

• The DST had released new Geospatial Data Guidelines on February 15, 2021 and introduced much-needed changes to liberalise the geospatial industry.

• Geospatial technology makes use of satellite navigation systems and computer databases to create, capture, store and retrieve geographic and spatial information of any place. It enables efficient, effective, relevant and integrated planning through the use of real time data and data analytics. 

• The Centre focuses on strengthening the startup ecosystem which has the potential to create jobs.

• The size of the Indian geospatial market in 2020, according to an industry estimate, was Rs 23,345 crore, including Rs 10,595 crore of export which is likely to grow to Rs 36,300 crore in 2025.

Benefits of the new portal

• As per the provisions of geospatial guidelines, there shall be no requirement for prior approval, security clearance, license or any other restrictions on the collection, generation, preparation, dissemination, storage, publication, updating and/or digitisation of geospatial data and maps within the territory of India. 

• Individuals, companies, organisations and government agencies shall be free to process the acquired geospatial data, build applications and develop solutions in relation to such data and use such data products, applications, solutions, etc by way of selling, distributing, sharing, swapping, disseminating, publishing, deprecating and destructing. 

• Self-certification will be used to convey adherence to these guidelines.

• Using the portal will essentially cut down time spent on obtaining clearances and approvals drastically for geospatial companies, researchers, academia and innovators for carrying out geospatial related activities.

• The portal will streamline the process of creation of geospatial data, maps, products, solutions and services with self-certification regime. 

• Earlier, this process would take up around a year’s time in prior approvals and clearances before actually starting the work on the project. This resulted in considerable loss of time, resources, and business and development opportunities. 

• The new self-certification portal facilitates all entities engaged in geospatial data-related activities to certify themselves easily within a few minutes.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store