A recent announcement from the Ministry of Science and Technology has revealed new guidelines for India’s Geo-Spatial Sector. Designed to modernize the currently rigid protocol, these reforms are aimed at liberalizing the sector and encouraging a more dynamic and competitive environment.
Understanding Geo-Spatial Data
Geo-spatial data refers to information relating to objects, events, or phenomena situated in specific locations on the Earth’s surface. This data, which might include location details, object attributes or temporal information, can be used to analyze static entities, such as roads and earthquake events, or monitor dynamic activities, like vehicle movements or disease spread. With the rapid rise in technological advancements, Geo-spatial data now plays an integral role in our daily lives, fueling applications for food delivery, e-commerce, and weather forecasts.
The Current State of the Geo-Spatial Sector
The existing Geo-Spatial Sector in India is characterized by stringent regulations on data collection, use, and distribution. The policy surrounding this sector has been largely unchanged for decades, primarily due to internal and external security concerns. The government, including agencies like the Survey of India, dominates the sector, with private companies needing permissions from various government departments to operate, depending on the nature of the data being handled.
New Policy Calculations
Under the new policy, all Indian entities will have open access to geo-spatial data and services, including maps, excluding sensitive defense or security-related information. Restrictions placed upon Indian corporations and innovators have been lifted, meaning that they no longer need prior approval for collecting, generating, disseminating, storing, publishing, or updating digital geo-spatial data within India.
Reasons for Deregulating the Geo-Spatial Sector
Bureaucratic red tape has previously led to significant project delays due to the lengthy process of acquiring necessary licenses or permissions. Through deregulation, these barriers are removed, allowing Indian companies to certify their operations against government guidelines without constant oversight. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more comprehensive data to assist with infrastructure planning, development, and business operations within India. Encouraging private investment in the geo-spatial sector is seen as a key strategy to expedite national mapping and data collection.
The importance of geo-spatial data has evolved over time. Initially focused on strategic and security concerns, this data is now instrumental for government planning, infrastructure development, social development, and economic growth.
There has also been a global push for open access to geo-spatial data, given its impact on citizens’ everyday lives. A large amount of geo-spatial data is available on global platforms, making it impractical to regulate data that is already freely accessible in other countries.
Impact of Deregulation
By liberalizing the system, the government aims to encourage competition, thus leading to more accurate data for both governmental and individual use. The new policy is also expected to foster job creation, particularly in e-commerce and geo-spatial app development, as startups and businesses can leverage this data to build their enterprises. Moreover, the policy may encourage greater public-private partnerships, with data collection companies collaborating with the government on various projects. Increased investment in the geo-spatial sector and the potential for data export to foreign companies could significantly contribute to boosting the economy.
