In an era where technology is reshaping the way we perceive and interact with the world, geospatial information has emerged as a pivotal tool for governments, businesses, and individuals alike. Geospatial data, which encompasses location-based information, satellite imagery, maps, and more, plays a critical role in diverse sectors such as agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, and national security. Recognising the immense potential of geospatial data, India took a pioneering step by introducing the National Geospatial Policy in 2022, a visionary framework that is poised to transform the country’s geospatial landscape. Before jumping into an in-depth review of the framework, let us see what geospatial technology is.
Geospatial Technology: What is it?
Geospatial data refers to data associated with a particular location. This means that the records in the data set are associated with geographical location information in the form of coordinates, addresses, cities, or pin codes. Geospatial technology refers to the remarkable digital toolkit, which is an amalgamation of scientific and geographic knowledge and techniques to map, analyse, or visualise geospatial data for Earth’s surface changes, and human societies and to help us navigate our world with precision, therefore making it an essential tool for everything from daily navigation to scientific exploration and for conservation efforts, which is pivotal for operational needs of the government, the private sector, science, and the individuals. The world has come a long way from the days of using paper maps for finding places to adopting spatial intelligence in everyday decisions. The story of our country is also not different, even though the adoption rate here is much slower than desired.
Genesis of National Geospatial Policy (NGP)
India’s geospatial industry has been growing remarkably. This industry is expected to cross Rs 63,000 crore by 2025 at a growth rate of 12.8% and to provide employment to more than 10 lakh people. In India, various levels of governance are democratic, which makes the need for data for better governance — whether national, state, or local level — indispensable. The geospatial data and the aided applications fulfill the data requirement with an additional hand of location information associated with the conventional data giving multiple dimensions to the data. Geospatial technologies like Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), India’s own Navigation using Indian Constellation (NavIC), Light Detection and ranging (LiDAR), Location Based Services (LBS) are being widely used in our day-to-day life. Many government departments and services use geospatial data and technologies for governance. Governments’ flagship development programmes like Gati Shakti, Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange, etc. have substantial geospatial data and technology components. It is visible that the Government of India is interested in measures to link space and location technology with development and governance. This initiative altered the geospatial ecosystem of the country and recognised the technology as an effective and efficient tool for planning, management, and decision-making, not only at the local level but also at the global level. This eventually paved the way for the launch of the strategic National Geospatial Policy.
Deep Dive into India’s National Geospatial Policy
India’s journey towards establishing a comprehensive geospatial policy began with the realisation of the strategic importance of geospatial data in fostering sustainable development. Notified on December 28, 2022, the National Geospatial Policy (NGP) was formulated under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). This policy represents a strategic shift from the previous regime, which imposed restrictions on the dissemination and use of geospatial data. NGP is a citizen-centric policy that liberalises the geospatial sector and democratises the datasets generated by the use of public funds.
Until a decade ago, in India, the early adopters of geospatial data and technologies were the national mapping agencies like the Survey of India (SoI), Geological Survey of India (GSI), National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization (NATMO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), etc., having built-in capacity to create geospatial data and products. These agencies completed several projects in different domains to demonstrate the potential of spatial data and aided technologies. With the government departments doing a good amount of significant work, there were minimal efforts for the enhancement of private participation in this sector. This affected the adoption rate of newer technological advancement in this rapidly evolving sector in the country at a much slower pace than desired.
NGP brought deregulation in the geospatial domain by liberalising the collection, production, and access of geospatial data, which goes further by establishing an overarching framework for the comprehensive development of the geospatial ecosystem in India. NGP enabled the enhancement of private participation in the sector more than ever before and it spells vision and goals of the geospatial domain, describing strategies for achieving them. NGP aims to develop geospatial infrastructure, geospatial skills and knowledge, standards, geospatial enterprises, foster innovation, and strengthen national/ sub-national agreements, and create and manage geospatial information. The collection, production, and access of geospatial data will continue to be governed by the guidelines in its current form or regulated by DST from time to time, to promote private sector participation through continuous improvements to facilitate business in the sector.
Mapping India’s Future
In the intricate web of progress, the National Geospatial Policy of 2022 (NGP 2022) emerges as a guiding star, illuminating India’s journey towards technological excellence. This policy, born from the heart of the Indian government, holds the key to unlocking a multitude of benefits for the nation, making it accessible and understandable for everyone.
Pioneering the Geospatial Frontier
At its core, NGP 2022 recognises the transformative potential of geospatial technology and data in shaping India’s destiny. Geospatial technology, like a trusty compass, guides us through a multitude of applications: urban planning, natural resource management, disaster management, agriculture, transportation, security, and climate change adaptation.
Seeding Innovation and Entrepreneurship
NGP 2022 is more than just a recognition; it is a nurturing embrace for India’s geospatial sector. It is the launchpad for innovation, an open field where entrepreneurial spirits can flourish. Think of it as a well-tended garden, where regulatory hurdles are cleared away, innovation sprouts, and financial support waters the seeds of progress.
Guardian of Data Security and Privacy
In the digital age, safeguarding data is paramount. NGP 2022 takes on the role of a vigilant guardian, ensuring that while data flows freely, it remains securely protected. Picture it as an unbreakable vault, shielding national interests and individual privacy alike.
Sustainability as a Compass
Beyond mere development, NGP 2022 champions sustainable growth. It’s a compass guiding India through the challenges of climate change, responsible resource management, and equal access for all. This is the policy’s pledge to protect our environment, foster resilience, and ensure that no one is left behind.
Realising Benefits for All
The benefits of NGP 2022 are far-reaching and will touch the lives of every Indian. Geospatial technology enhances business efficiency, attracting investments and stimulating economic growth. It aids in planning and managing infrastructure projects, from roads to power plants, resulting in improved connectivity. Geospatial tech helps monitor and respond to natural disasters, safeguarding lives and property. It monitors and preserves natural resources like forests and water bodies, contributing to environmental protection. Geospatial technology improves access to essential services, like education and healthcare, reducing poverty and inequality.
The Power and Responsibility of Geospatial Data
The NGP ushers in a new era, one that promises to revolutionise how India utilizes geospatial data. In a world dominated by satellites, drones, and location-based services, this data has become the lifeblood of modern civilisation, influencing diverse sectors, from urban planning to agriculture, disaster management to national defence. The NGP champions this democratisation of data by mandating the sharing of geospatial data produced with public funds, fostering innovation and development across the nation.
However, the policy acknowledges that with great power comes great responsibility. India, like many nations, grapples with the challenge of preventing geospatial data misuse. To address this, the NGP establishes several measures aimed at safeguarding India’s interests.
Balancing Innovation and Security
A cornerstone of the NGP is the prohibition on exporting geospatial data that could be exploited for military purposes. This crucial provision ensures that sensitive information remains out of reach for potential adversaries.
Furthermore, to ensure a responsible and effective implementation of the NGP, a Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC) is established. This committee is entrusted with the task of balancing the imperatives of innovation and security, offering guidance that will keep India’s geospatial journey on the right course.
Securing India’s Geospatial Frontier
The NGP demonstrates a keen understanding of the potential misuse of geospatial data. It recognises that threats such as terrorist attacks and espionage are not mere conjectures but tangible and imminent dangers. The policy, therefore, meticulously outlines a comprehensive set of measures designed to safeguard India’s geospatial frontiers.
One noteworthy provision is the introduction of a list of negative attributes that cannot be included in geospatial data without prior government approval. This measure acts as a bulwark against the dissemination of information that could be maliciously exploited. Furthermore, geospatial data providers are compelled to implement robust security measures, ensuring that the first line of defence remains steadfast. NGP goes a step further by imposing stringent penalties for unauthorised access or use of geospatial data. This serves as a stark deterrent, emphasizing the nation’s unwavering commitment to protecting its geospatial assets.
Addressing Critical Security Concerns
The NGP is not merely a policy framework but a shield against grave security concerns. It acknowledges the potential for geospatial data to be used in planning terrorist attacks, espionage, or even to violate India’s sovereignty.
Terrorist groups could exploit geospatial data to identify targets, plot attack routes, or monitor the movements of security forces. With the NGP in place, India reinforces its defences, making it considerably more challenging for malevolent actors to exploit geospatial information.
Likewise, the NGP recognises the risk of espionage, where foreign intelligence agencies may gather information about India’s military capabilities, infrastructure, or economic assets. Through rigorous regulation of geospatial data acquisition and dissemination, the NGP heightens defences against unwarranted espionage attempts.
Furthermore, the policy safeguards India’s sovereignty by imposing strict controls on the publication and distribution of geospatial data. This bolsters protection against potential encroachments by foreign governments.
Charting a Secure Geospatial Future
The NGP stands as a testament to India’s forward-looking approach to striking a harmonious balance between innovation and security. It not only embraces the boundless possibilities of geospatial data but also equips the nation with robust defences against potential threats.
While the NGP is still in its nascent stages, its influence is already palpable across India’s geospatial landscape. It is not merely a policy; it represents India’s unwavering intent. With the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee as its guardian, India is poised to unlock a realm of opportunities while ensuring that its geospatial assets remain fortified. As time progresses, the NGP will undoubtedly emerge as a significant milestone in India’s journey toward a secure and prosperous geospatial future.
The Promise and the Peril
At its heart, NGP 2022 is a promise. A promise to unlock the immense potential of geospatial data and welcome greater private-sector engagement. It’s an open invitation to innovation and investment that could redefine the landscape of Indian development. Yet, as with any path into uncharted territory, there are whispers of peril.
One of the policy’s linchpins is the democratisation of geospatial data. It declares that all such data, even the once-guarded secrets, shall be accessible to the public, albeit with strings attached. While this move symbolises transparency and accessibility, it casts a shadow of concern over the potential for misuse.
Walking the Tightrope of Privacy
Privacy is the jewel in the crown of personal freedoms, and it is this jewel that is at stake in the NGP 2022 debate. The worry is that the unrestricted availability of geospatial data may be akin to handing a double-edged sword to society. On one hand, it empowers us with knowledge; on the other, it raises the spectre of stalking, harassment, or even terrorism.
Consider this: An individual, armed with geospatial data could potentially track every move of another person or group. Worse, they might pinpoint sensitive infrastructure locations. It’s a chilling thought, one that underscores the importance of robust privacy safeguards.
Privacy Paradox
The government assures us that safeguards will be in place, such as requiring consent before utilising geospatial data for specific purposes. However, not everyone is convinced that these safeguards are sufficiently robust. Concerns abound about the vagueness of key terms, like ‘sensitive’ data. Without clear definitions, the risk remains that non-sensitive data could be wielded for malicious intent.
Moreover, the policy lacks a requirement for users to obtain consent from individuals before using their geospatial data. This raises the unsettling prospect of individuals being tracked without their knowledge or consent. The spectre of unchecked surveillance looms.
The Road Ahead
As we venture into this new geospatial frontier, a delicate balance must be struck between progress and privacy. Clarity is needed regarding what constitutes sensitive data, stronger consent requirements, and effective mechanisms for enforcement.
The government’s commitment to protecting privacy is reassuring, but vigilance and accountability are the watchwords of our age. It falls upon us all, as a society, to ensure that the NGP 2022 unfolds as a testament to progress and protection. We must tread carefully, navigating the geospatial frontier with an unwavering commitment to safeguarding individual privacy.
*The writer is a Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing enthusiast holding Master of Science in Geoinformatics from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed international journals and continuously contributes to the field of geospatial science. He can be contacted at: mail2aswinsunil@gmail.com
