India Lifts Mapping Restrictions: Boost for Local Firms

India Lifts Restrictions on Geospatial Data

The Indian government announced on Monday a significant policy shift, removing the requirement for local companies to obtain licenses or permissions for collecting, generating, storing, and sharing geospatial data within the country.

Previously, New Delhi mandated that Indian firms secure approvals before creating and disseminating topographical data. This earlier stance, officials now acknowledge, presented obstacles to innovation.

A Boost for Self-Reliance and Economic Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that this “deregulation” is a crucial step towards bolstering India’s self-reliance and achieving its ambitious goal of a $5 trillion GDP.

The government’s official statement clarified that regulations pertaining to geospatial data and maps have been substantially liberalized. Changes to India’s mapping policy are specifically targeted at empowering Indian companies.

Expanded Access for Indian Firms

Indian firms will now have access to vital resources, including “ground truthing/verification” processes. This encompasses access to Indian ground stations and augmentation services for precise, real-time positioning.

Furthermore, access is granted to terrestrial mobile mapping surveys, street view surveys, and surveying operations within Indian territorial waters.

Restrictions for Foreign Entities

The guidelines stipulate that only Indian companies are permitted to conduct the aforementioned surveys. Google’s previous attempts to introduce its Street View service in India were not successful.

A Google spokesperson indicated the company is currently reviewing the new guidelines and declined to provide immediate commentary.

Foreign companies, or those owned or controlled by foreign entities, can license digital maps and geospatial data from Indian entities. However, this access is limited to serving customers within India.

API Access and Data Restrictions: Data access will be provided solely through APIs that prevent the transfer of map data through the licensee’s servers. Resale or reuse of this map data by licensees is strictly prohibited.

Industry Reaction and Significance

Devdatta Tengshe, a professional in the GIS field, emphasized the importance of this move for the local ecosystem and citizens. He noted that the previous restrictions created ambiguity regarding permissible activities.

“This announcement clearly establishes that Indian entities are now free to undertake any location data collection and conduct independent data gathering,” Tengshe explained. “Moreover, location data from local agencies, such as municipalities, will become accessible to Indian companies.”

MapMyIndia, a 25-year-old firm backed by Flipkart, hailed the government’s decision as “historic.” The company believes it will unlock the maps and geospatial sector, fostering self-reliance in strategically important areas.

This development is expected to empower all 1.3 billion Indians and create unprecedented opportunities for growth within Indian companies.

Benefits Across Sectors

Modi highlighted the potential for innovation and scalable solutions across various sectors, including start-ups, the private sector, public sector, and research institutions.

Agricultural Advantages: Indian farmers are anticipated to benefit from the utilization of geospatial and remote sensing data. Democratizing data access will facilitate the development of new technologies and platforms, enhancing efficiency in agriculture and related industries.

These reforms, Modi concluded, demonstrate India’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business through deregulation.