Study on the Implementation of Geospatial Data Standards in India

The Survey of India (SOI) has appointed Center for Applied Geomatics (CAG), CRDF to lead a national study on the implementation of geospatial data standards in India. This initiative is an important step towards strengthening the country’s geospatial ecosystem by making spatial data more usable, interoperable, and accessible for a wide range of applications.
Geospatial data today underpins critical areas such as infrastructure development, urban planning, environmental management, disaster resilience, and digital innovation. However, the absence of consistent standards often leads to duplication of efforts, inefficiencies in data sharing, and barriers to interoperability across sectors. To address these challenges, the study will conduct a comprehensive assessment of India’s current geospatial data standardization landscape, benchmark practices against leading global frameworks, and identify systemic gaps in adoption, capacity, and institutional mechanisms.
The study will also propose context-specific standards for fundamental geospatial data themes, aligned with India’s priorities and development goals, while ensuring compatibility with international practices such as the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF). A key outcome will be the development of a phased National Geospatial Standards Implementation Plan, providing a structured roadmap for adoption across government, industry, and academia.
Through this initiative, India aims to build a future-ready geospatial ecosystem where data flows seamlessly across platforms and organizations, the adoption of standards is simplified, and the societal benefits of geospatial technologies are significantly amplified. The project envisions enabling evidence-based decision-making, improving efficiency in data use, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are inclusive and sustainable.