• In the Union Budget 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs 100 crore for the National Geospatial Mission. 

• This mission aims to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data, playing a crucial role in modernising land records, urban planning, and infrastructure design. 

• By leveraging PM Gati Shakti, the initiative will facilitate integrated planning, enhance data-driven decision-making, and improve the efficiency of infrastructure projects across the country. 

• This strategic investment underscores the government’s focus on harnessing geospatial technology for economic growth, governance, and sustainable development.

What is geospatial technology?

• 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. 

• Geospatial technology has applications in almost every domain of the economy ranging from agriculture to industries, development of urban or rural infrastructure, administration of land, economic activities of banking and finance, resources, mining, water, disaster management, social planning, delivery services, etc. 

• Geospatial data is now widely accepted as a critical national infrastructure and information resource with proven societal, economic and environmental value that enables government systems and services, and sustainable national development initiatives.

National Geospatial Policy, 2022

• The National Geospatial Policy, 2022, notified by the government of India on December 28, 2022, is a transformative policy aimed at positioning India as a global leader in the geospatial sector. 

• With a long-term vision extending to 2035, the policy seeks to liberalise and democratise access to geospatial data, fostering innovation and enabling its widespread use across governance, businesses, and academia.

• At its core, the policy is citizen-centric, ensuring that geospatial datasets generated with public funds are openly accessible. 

• It outlines a strategic roadmap for the development of geospatial infrastructure, services, and platforms at both national and sub-national levels. 

• One of its key goals is to establish a high-resolution topographical survey and mapping system by 2030, alongside a highly accurate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the entire country.

• Recognising the importance of geospatial technology in governance, economic growth, and societal development, the policy focuses on strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing national and state-level coordination, and fostering a vibrant geospatial ecosystem. 

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) plays a pivotal role in this effort by promoting the reuse and open access of geospatial data, products, and services through a network of geospatial platforms.

Goals of the National Geospatial Policy

By 2025

• Establish an enabling policy and legal framework to support the liberalisation of the geospatial sector and democratisation of data.

• Enhance availability and accessibility of high-quality location data across sectors to drive innovation and enterprise.

• Develop a unified digital interface for accessing geospatial data collected through public funds.

• Redefine the National Geodetic Framework using modern positioning technologies, with online accessibility.

• Create a high-accuracy geoid model for the entire country.

• Strengthen national and sub-national geospatial governance by fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, and civil society.

By 2030

• Conduct high-resolution topographical surveys (5–10 cm for urban/rural areas and 50–100 cm for forests/wastelands).

• Develop a high-accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM) (25 cm for plains, 1–3 m for hilly/mountainous areas).

• Establish a Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) underpinned by an Integrated Data and Information Framework.

• Enhance geospatial skills, capabilities, and awareness to meet future technological and economic demands.

By 2035

• Generate high-resolution bathymetric geospatial data for inland waters and deep-sea topography to support the Blue Economy.

• Survey and map sub-surface infrastructure in major cities and towns.

• Develop a National Digital Twin for major urban centers, creating digital replicas to improve urban planning and management.

Operation Dronagiri

• Operation Dronagiri, launched on November 13, 2024, is a pilot initiative under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. 

• The project aims to demonstrate the real-world applications of geospatial technologies to enhance citizen services, business efficiency, and governance. 

• It is designed to integrate geospatial data, analytics, and advanced mapping technologies to support multiple sectors.

Geospatial Policy Under PM Gati Shakti

• The National Geospatial Policy (NGP), 2022 is closely aligned with the PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, a digital platform launched by the Prime Minister to integrate 16 key ministries, including Railways and Roadways, for coordinated infrastructure planning and implementation. 

• The initiative aims to facilitate seamless multi-modal connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services across different modes of transport, ensuring last-mile connectivity and reducing travel time. 

• By leveraging accurate, real-time geospatial data, NGP 2022 plays a critical role in streamlining infrastructure projects, minimizing redundancies, and optimising resource utilization.

• PM Gati Shakti seeks to integrate infrastructure schemes across various ministries and state governments. 

• A key aspect of this initiative is the extensive use of geospatial technology, including spatial planning tools developed by ISRO and BiSAG-N. This integration enhances data-driven decision-making for efficient infrastructure development and economic growth.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)