India firms to gain from liberalised mapping policy

New Delhi | Bengaluru: The Centre has eased regulations governing the acquisition and application of geospatial data — including maps — by Indian entities, in a far-reaching move that is expected to spur local innovation and level the playing field for both public and private Indian companies.

The liberalised mapping policy, announced on Monday, allows private Indian firms to use high-precision satellite imagery—of 1 metre and below—on both land and in Indian territorial waters. This was hitherto reserved for strategic purposes only.