Aug 13, 2025: The Minister of State for Science and Technology of the Union, today, DR. Jitendra Singh stated that a successful program like the "SVAMITVA" (Survey Village and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme has liberated citizens from decades of dependence on Patwaris and Revenue Officers. He said that the program has become a global example of citizen centered governance because it lets people map their own land. Dr. presided over a Parliament House high-level review meeting of the "Survey of India." Jitendra Singh hailed the National Geospatial Policy 2022 as a game-changer that has democratized geo-spatial data, enabling wider accessibility and utility across Government and public sectors.
He pointed out that, in collaboration with the Registrar General of India, the harmonization of boundaries has been completed—marking a milestone in the transformation of the Survey of India in recent years.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the SVAMITVA Scheme, AMRUT Mission, Smart Cities, Digital Twin Mission, and NAKSHA Scheme are supported by the Survey of India's technical expertise. He outlined plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning for technology upgrades, create synergies with other science and Government Departments, and ensure they can fully utilize the department’s world-class facilities.
Highlighting technological advancements, Dr. Jitendra Singh cited the rise of high-accuracy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), which have evolved from map makers into geospatial enablers for a variety of economic sectors. He praised the department's proactive engagement with Ministries, the creation of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), and the Geodetic Asset Register at the state, district, and taluka levels. Tehsildars will have access to these registers, which will significantly simplify citizen-centered service delivery.
The Minister directed the department to organize a national workshop with all Ministries, departments, and states to enhance awareness about the vast capabilities of the Survey of India. He lauded the National Geodetic Reference Framework (NGRF), noting that 478 CORS are already operational with the collaboration of other departments. Dr. recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped facilitate bilateral memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the field of geospatial data and surveying with Nigeria and Russia. Singh revealed that six more such international collaborations are under process.
Dr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, attended the meeting. Abhay Karandikar; Surveyor General of India, Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, in addition to senior representatives from the Survey of India and the Department of Science and Technology.