National Geospatial Mission

Why in News?

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of a National Geospatial Mission in the Budget 2025-26.
• The mission will be aimed at modernising land records and enhancing urban planning across India.
• This initiative will leverage the existing PM Gati Shakti framework to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data, facilitating improved design and execution of infrastructure projects.

Introduction

• The National Geospatial Mission (NGM) is an initiative launched by the Government of India to strengthen the country’s geospatial infrastructure, ensuring the availability of accurate and real-time geospatial data for various sectors.
• This mission aims to boost economic growth, support governance, and enhance national security by leveraging geospatial technologies.

What is Geospatial Technology?

• Geospatial technology involves the collection, analysis, and visualization of data related to the Earth’s surface. It includes:
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    • Helps in mapping and analyzing spatial data.
  • Remote Sensing (RS)
    • Uses satellites and drones to capture Earth’s surface images.
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
    • Enables real-time location tracking and navigation.
  • Surveying & Mapping
    • Measures land and infrastructure accurately.
• These technologies play a crucial role in urban planning, agriculture, disaster management, defense, and transportation.

Objectives of the National Geospatial Mission

The National Geospatial Mission aims to:

• Create an Integrated Geospatial Data Infrastructure
  • A centralized and standardized platform for geospatial data.
• Encourage Indigenous Geospatial Industry
  • Promote domestic geospatial companies to develop technology and services.
• Enhance Ease of Doing Business
  • Provide geospatial data to businesses, startups, and research institutions.
• Improve Governance & Decision-Making
  • Support government programs like Smart Cities, Digital India, and infrastructure development.
• Ensure Security & Privacy
  • Develop national geospatial policies that balance accessibility with national security concerns.
• Promote Capacity Building
  • Train professionals and students in geospatial technologies.

Key Features of the National Geospatial Mission

• Open Geospatial Data Policy
  • The government has liberalized the geospatial sector, allowing private entities to access high-resolution geospatial data, reducing dependence on foreign sources.

• National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI)
  • A central repository that integrates data from various departments, making it easier for users to access and utilize spatial information.

• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model
  • Encouraging private firms to collaborate with government agencies to develop and maintain geospatial infrastructure.

• High-Resolution Mapping
  • Advanced satellite imagery, drone-based mapping, and LiDAR technology are being used to create high-resolution maps of urban and rural areas.

• Geospatial Applications Across Sectors
  • Agriculture
    • Crop monitoring, soil analysis, and irrigation planning.
  • Urban Development
    • Smart city planning, transportation optimization.
  • Disaster Management
    • Flood mapping, earthquake response, and climate change monitoring.
  • Defense & Border Security
    • Surveillance and national security operations.
  • Infrastructure
    • Roads, railways, and water resource management.

Recent Developments

• Geospatial Guidelines 2021
  • The Government of India removed restrictions on geospatial data collection and sharing, enabling the private sector to participate in mapping.
• Collaboration with ISRO
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) provides satellite data for various applications.
• Boost to Indian Startups
  • Many Indian startups like MapmyIndia, Genesys International, and others are innovating in geospatial solutions.

Challenges and Future Roadmap

• Challenges
  • Data Privacy & Security
    • Ensuring sensitive geospatial data does not pose a national security risk.
  • High Infrastructure Costs
    • Setting up geospatial infrastructure requires significant investment.
  • Skilled Workforce
    • Need for more trained professionals in geospatial technology.
  • Integration with Government Services
    • Ensuring seamless adoption by various departments.

• Future Roadmap
  • Strengthening indigenous satellite and mapping capabilities.
  • Expanding geospatial data accessibility for small businesses and startups.
  • Developing AI and ML-based geospatial analytics.
  • Improving interoperability among different government agencies.

Conclusion

• The National Geospatial Mission is a transformative step towards making India self-reliant in geospatial technologies.
• By enabling easy access to geospatial data, promoting private sector involvement, and strengthening national security, this mission is poised to revolutionize sectors like governance, business, and infrastructure development.

The success of this mission will significantly contribute to India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy and a digital powerhouse.