New Delhi, March 12 Geodesy has formed the scientific backbone of the expanding geospatial ecosystem, enabling accurate positioning, satellite navigation, infrastructure planning, climate monitoring, and disaster response, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.
Speaking at the inaugural session of GeodCon-26, the first national conference on geodesy, Singh said that while mapping represents the visible layer of development, geodesy remains the invisible but essential scientific foundation that makes it possible.
Geodesy is the science of measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field.
"India is moving decisively toward scientific self-reliance under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and in this transformative decade, foundational sciences such as geodesy must emerge as strategic national strengths," Singh said.
The minister added that the National Geospatial Policy 2022 marked a landmark reform that democratized access to geospatial data and liberalized the sector.
"The geospatial domain is increasingly becoming an enabling layer for multiple sectors of the economy, strengthening governance as well as national development," Singh said.
The indigenous navigation system NavIC, space missions, and Earth observation programmes reflect the country's expanding role in the global geospatial ecosystem, according to the minister.
He also noted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, academia, industry, and young researchers to strengthen India's geospatial capabilities.
