Government-Industry Workshop on Geospatial Transformation
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered the keynote address at a workshop titled "Government & Industry Synergy for Geospatial Transformation: Co-Creating the Geospatial Economy for Viksit Bharat 2047" organized by the Survey of India under the Department of Science & Technology in New Delhi on October 30, 2026. The Minister, who holds multiple portfolios including Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, declared that geospatial capabilities will be a key determinant of India's future economic growth.
Dr. Singh highlighted the transformation of geospatial information from a technical resource for mapping and surveying into a strategic national asset for economic development. He noted that several far-reaching geospatial reforms have been undertaken over the past 12–13 years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's encouragement, requiring courage and conviction to implement. The Survey of India has specifically transformed from an organization focused on traditional, labor-intensive surveying to one adapting to satellite-based mapping, drones, and computer-based technologies.
National Geospatial Policy and Technology Integration
The Minister emphasized that the National Geospatial Policy 2022 provides an open framework that can accommodate emerging technologies, including geospatial artificial intelligence (AI). He described AI as a tool that could improve the speed and precision of work and said its use should be encouraged across sectors. Dr. Singh called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand markets, develop viable business models, and encourage startups and MSMEs in the geospatial sector.
Government Commitment and Implementation Strategy
During the roundtable discussion with senior government officials and industry leaders, Dr. Singh stated that the government is committed to creating a more business-friendly and facilitative environment by simplifying procedures, removing unnecessary regulations, and encouraging innovation. He urged government departments to identify areas where they could work with the Survey of India and asked the Surveyor General to organize virtual meetings to familiarize departments with the organization's capabilities.
The Minister proposed a three-pronged approach of "enable, invest and adopt"—enabling to build confidence, investing to develop capability, and adopting geospatial solutions to generate economic growth. He highlighted successful collaboration models in sectors such as space and biotechnology that can be replicated to accelerate growth in the geospatial sector.
Supporting Perspectives from Officials
Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, stated that geospatial infrastructure could help organize information on national resources and support their optimal use, including during the energy transition. He highlighted the convergence of satellite and drone technologies, artificial intelligence, optics, and rapid data processing, noting that government priorities should be informed by real-world applications and industry requirements.
Shri S. K. Sinha, Surveyor General of India, thanked Dr. Jitendra Singh for his guidance and support in advancing geospatial reforms, stating that the National Geospatial Policy 2022 laid the foundation for an open, innovation-driven ecosystem. He mentioned that the Survey of India is working with industry to support flagship government programs through foundational geospatial data and positioning infrastructure.
The workshop was attended by key stakeholders including Shri Srikant Sastri, Chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion & Development Committee (GDPDC), along with other senior government officials and industry leaders.