Mapping Sector Reforms in India: Winds of Change?
- Arpit Shah
- Feb 28, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 13
Introduction
“We look forward to India emerging as a mapping power, creating next-generation indigenous maps of India and taking these new technologies to the rest of the world.”
It was heartening to read this statement in the press release issued by the Department of Science & Technology (GoI) on 15 February 2021. The Revised Mapping Guidelines, in their entirety, can be accessed here. For an in-depth explanation of the press release, you may read articles published in The Times of India, Mint and Hindustan Times respectively.
Update: The Government of India released its Policy Notification for Drone Rules on 25 August 2021. India’s Drone Policy continues to evolve, and this particular release was received favorably by stakeholders. An interpretation of the policy can be read here.
The Context
The mapping sector in India has remained highly regulated since colonial times. For instance, Survey of India has traditionally been the only agency legally permitted to survey and map the country. Similarly, if one wishes to procure satellite imagery, a formal request must be submitted to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), which then acquires or sources the data on the requester’s behalf. Processing such requests often takes considerable time—sometimes stretching into several months.
Restrictions on the creation and dissemination of authoritative geospatial data have also fostered a black market. For example, up-to-date Point of Interest (POI) datasets—such as the locations and details of all shops in a city—are reportedly sold for ₹5 million or more to deep-pocketed buyers who use such datasets to consolidate market dominance.
In contrast, the mapping sector in several major global economies is far more deregulated. A wide range of datasets and imagery are acquired, updated, and disseminated by both public and private entities. In the United States, for instance, one can obtain highly granular datasets—such as household ownership of selfie sticks aggregated at the county level—which researchers can even use to explore correlations with voter turnout!
In India, however, apart from the decennial Census, there is an acute shortage of reliable national or regional geospatial datasets. With the next Census due in 2021, anyone wishing to perform demographic or socio-economic analysis today is compelled to rely on outdated 2011 Census data or projections derived from it.
The new Mapping Sector Reforms aim to change this. By enabling Indian organizations to create, update, and disseminate geospatial data, these reforms are expected to foster competition and innovation, ultimately leading to better and more diverse offerings for data consumers.
But what constitutes high-quality geodata? Some defining characteristics include:
High temporal resolution — datasets that are frequently acquired or updated, enabling more relevant spatio-temporal analysis
High spatial resolution — granular data aggregated at micro-geographic levels(For context, ISRO’s Cartosat-3 satellite captures imagery at a spatial resolution of 0.25 metres per pixel, the highest in the world at the time of its launch.)
Three-dimensional datasets — inclusion of elevation or depth (Z-values), making the data informationally richer
The Role of these Reforms
The Mapping Sector Reforms align closely with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. Globally, the mapping ecosystem is dominated by heavyweights such as Google, NASA, and Planet Labs. From both economic and strategic standpoints, it is advantageous for India to nurture home-grown enterprises and reduce dependence on foreign platforms.
Encouragingly, the winds of change are already visible. ISRO, India’s national space agency, has partnered with MapmyIndia, a private organization, to offer an indigenous satellite-based mapping service—positioned as an Indian alternative to Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Apple Maps.
Similarly, the adoption of NavIC—India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System and an alternative to the U.S.-led GPS—is steadily gaining traction. Following its recognition by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and inclusion in the World-Wide Radio Navigation System, NavIC now presents Indian mapping companies with a compelling opportunity to build an ecosystem around it—spanning telecommunication chips, receivers, network services, and analytics.
More than 2,000 trains in India already operate with NavIC-enabled systems, and Realme recently became the first smartphone manufacturer to launch a handset supporting NavIC.
Which industries can benefit from these Reforms?
Virtually every sector stands to benefit from these reforms. Strategic domains such as defence, infrastructure, logistics, and agriculture are among the primary beneficiaries, as private entities are now permitted to capture high-resolution street-level maps (<1 m spatial resolution)—a capability that was earlier prohibited.
Agencies involved in Smart City initiatives, law enforcement, public transport, and healthcare can significantly enhance operational efficiency, coverage, and service delivery. In the private sector, organizations can more easily create, procure, and update location datasets for purposes such as market research, helping answer practical questions like Where should I locate my next store? or Where should I source raw materials from?
Beyond land-based geodata, substantial opportunities are also emerging in the marine domain. The Government of India has allocated nearly INR 6,000 crores to its ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, aimed at exploring underwater minerals, energy resources, and marine biodiversity—much of which remains largely unexplored.
Is everything going to be rosy?
While regulatory barriers to the creation and dissemination of geodata have now been relaxed, it remains to be seen how quickly India’s mapping ecosystem can activate its long-dormant capabilities. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, India will likely take time to catch up with global peers.
That said, these reforms were long overdue and represent a decisive step in the right direction.
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