India’s Union Budget 2025-26 has marked
a transformative step in digital infrastructure with the National Geospatial Mission (NGM) launch. With an allocation of Rs.10 million, the mission aims to modernise land records, enhance urban planning, and improve infrastructure execution using geospatial technology. Integrated with PM Gati Shakti, India’s `100 trillion infrastructure master plan, NGM is a key step toward data-driven governance and development.

The Indian geospatial economy, valued at `300 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at 12-15 per cent CAGR, with an estimated contribution of `630 billion to GDP by 2029.

However, land disputes, fragmented geospatial adoption, and cost overruns of 20-25 per cent in infrastructure projects continue to pose significant challenges. The NGM seeks to bridge these gaps by consolidating
geospatial data, fostering public-private collaboration, and ensuring real-time monitoring of national projects.

Geospatial in nation-building
Geospatial technology is set to transform India’s governance, economic planning, and infrastructure development. One of its most critical applications is in improving land records and governance. Nearly 67 per cent of India’s civil litigation cases are land-related, according to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) data. Although 92 per cent of land records have been digitised under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), challenges in interoperability persist.

Therefore, integrating cadastral mapping with AI-driven analytics is expected to significantly reduce land disputes and fraudulent registrations, making land administration more transparent and efficient.

In urban planning, geospatial data is proving to be an essential tool for modern city management. By 2030, 40 per cent of the country’s population will reside in urban areas per a World Bank report. While `2.05 trillion has been invested in Smart Cities, congestion and inefficient planning remain widespread issues. The adoption of 3D city modelling and AI-driven zoning regulations will optimise infrastructure utilisation and significantly reduce planning inefficiencies.

Disaster management is another area where geospatial intelligence is crucial. Between 2010 and 2020, India suffered $87 billion in economic losses due to extreme weather events, according to the World Bank. The NGM will enhance the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) geoportal Bhuvan platform, ensuring real-time disaster monitoring, early warning systems, and improved emergency response capabilities.

According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, nearly 25 per cent of infrastructure projects in India exceed their budgeted costs due to inefficient planning and monitoring. Thus, infrastructure development will also benefit from geospatial technology.

By incorporating digital twins and geospatial analytics, India can streamline logistics, improve project execution, and reduce delays by up to 30 per cent!

Accelerating sector growth
A clear regulatory framework is essential to fully harness the potential of geospatial technology. India currently lacks a national geospatial policy framework outlining data-sharing norms, licensing models, and security guidelines. Establishing a National Geospatial Data Repository will integrate datasets across government agencies, eliminating inefficiencies and enabling seamless access to high-quality geospatial data.

Expanding public-private collaboration is another key step. Despite an `300 billion industry valuation, 80 per cent of geospatial data remains government-controlled, limiting private-sector innovation. Opening access to public geospatial data for research and enterprise use will accelerate growth and technological advancement.

Similarly, the demand for skilled professionals in this domain is expected to rise significantly. While the industry chamber FICCI projects the country may require 1 million geospatial professionals by 2030, only a handful of universities currently offer specialised study programmes on the subject. A National Geospatial Training Initiative, integrated into the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, and private universities, will help bridge this gap. Additionally, incentives such as tax breaks for geospatial R&D and startup grants will encourage investments in AI-driven mapping innovations.

The NGM impact
The adoption of geospatial technology
will bring significant economic and social benefits. Advisory firm McKinsey estimates infrastructure inefficiencies to cost India between `3-4 trillion annually. By integrating geospatial data into planning and execution processes, project delays can be reduced by 30 per cent, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency.

Even as 55 per cent of the country’s population relies on agriculture for sustenance, poor soil mapping and inefficient irrigation practices continue to hinder growth. The application of geospatial analytics will enhance productivity and water management. Moreover, the rollout of precision farming and satellite-based water monitoring can increase crop yields by 10-15 per cent while reducing irrigation wastage by 25 per cent, according to the UN body Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Urban planning will also benefit
significantly. A Boston Consulting Group study estimates traffic congestion costing Indian cities `1.4 trillion annually. Implementing AI-driven geospatial planning will optimise traffic management and urban infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing mobility.

Climate resilience and environmental sustainability are critical areas where geospatial technology can drive change. According to the World Bank, India faces `87 billion in annual economic losses due to climate-related disasters. Implementing flood zone mapping, deforestation tracking, and water resource management through geospatial analytics will enhance preparedness and mitigation strategies.

Ensuring effective implementation
To ensure the success of NGM, the government must prioritise data governance, AI integration, workforce development, and financial support. Establishing a unified geospatial data platform will allow real-time access to standardised datasets, aligning with PM Gati Shakti’s Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) initiative for better logistics tracking.

AI and digital twin technology should be mandated for large-scale infrastructure projects. A policy requiring digital twins for projects exceeding `5 billion will improve efficiency and resource allocation. Furthermore, collaborations with ISRO and private space-tech firms will enhance India’s satellite-based geospatial capabilities. Investing in skill development is crucial.

The Geospatial Skilling Initiative should be expanded to train professionals in AI-driven geographic information system (GIS) applications. Additionally, establishing AI-powered research labs will drive innovation and ensure India remains competitive in the global geospatial economy.

Expanding funding is another priority. The government allocation to encourage innovation in geospatial should support AI-driven startups and tax incentives must be introduced for enhanced R&D investments. Long-term funding commitments, scaling up NGM’s budget from `1 billion to `100 billion over five years, will be critical for sustained impact.

The NGM could revolutionise the country’s governance, infrastructure, and economic development. However, its success depends on policy continuity, funding allocation, and effective implementation strategies. Policymakers must act decisively by expanding NGM’s budget, developing a standardised geospatial data infrastructure, and leveraging AI-driven solutions to optimise national planning and development.

By prioritising these measures, India can establish itself as a global leader in geospatial technology, ensuring economic growth, governance efficiency, and sustainability. Let us turn NGM into a revolution transforming how India builds, plans, and governs. And the time to act is now!

About the author: Kaushik Khona, Managing Director of India Operations, CS Tech AI.