PIB Summaries 28 February 2025

Content:

1. National Geospatial Policy 2022
2. National Science Day 2025

National Geospatial Policy 2022

Introduction & Context

• Notified on: December 28, 2022
• Vision: Position India as a global leader in geospatial technologies by 2035
• Key Themes: Liberalization, democratization of geospatial data, innovation, and self-reliance
• Institutional Framework: Led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Significance:
  • Enables open access to geospatial data generated with public funds
  • Develops geospatial infrastructure, services, and platforms at national & sub-national levels
  • Supports economic growth, governance, and technological advancements

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology )

Budgetary Allocations & Trends (Union Budget 2025-26)

• ₹100 crore allocated for the National Geospatial Mission
  • Focus on foundational geospatial infrastructure and modernization of land records
  • Integration with PM Gati Shakti for seamless planning and execution of infrastructure projects

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
  • Enhanced access to geospatial data from PM Gati Shakti portal for private sector collaboration
  • Aims to streamline infrastructure development and investment planning

Key Focus Areas of National Geospatial Policy 2022

• Geospatial for Transformation & SDGs:
  • Supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through spatial data-driven governance

• Atmanirbhar Bharat & Self-Reliance:
  • Strengthening India’s domestic geospatial ecosystem to reduce dependence on foreign data sources

• Global Best Practices & IGIF:
  • Adopts UN Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) for standardization

• Robust Geospatial & ICT Infrastructure:
  • Promotes data interoperability, custodianship models, and real-time accessibility

• Fostering Innovation & Startups:
  • Encourages R&D, AI integration, and geospatial startup ecosystem

• Standards & Interoperability:
  • Promotes open standards, compliance frameworks, and seamless integration

• Capacity Development & Education:
  • Includes geospatial education in school & higher education curricula

• Ease of Doing Business:
  • Reduces regulatory barriers for private sector investment in geospatial technologies

• Democratization of Data:
  • Survey of India (SoI) datasets to be publicly accessible

Geospatial Policy Under PM Gati Shakti

• Alignment with PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity
  • Integration of 16 key Ministries (Railways, Highways, Shipping, etc.) for synchronized infrastructure planning
  • Utilization of ISRO & BiSAG-N spatial planning tools
  • Objectives:
    • Reduce infrastructure redundancies
    • Optimize transport & logistics planning
    • Improve last-mile connectivity & reduce travel time
• Real-time geospatial data usage:
  • Enhancing decision-making for infrastructure development projects
  • Minimizing delays & cost overruns

National Geospatial Data Repository (NGDR): A Centralized Data Hub

• Purpose:
  • Acts as a one-stop platform for geospatial data management and sharing
  • Ensures data interoperability across government, academia, and private sector

• Benefits:
  • Supports governance, economic development, and digital transformation
  • Facilitates evidence-based policymaking

Empowering Inclusion & Progress Through Geospatial Data

• Wider Access to Location-based Intelligence:
  • Benefits rural & remote communities by integrating them into development planning

• Strengthening Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat):
  • Empowers Indian companies to develop indigenous geospatial capabilities
  • Enhances global competitiveness in geospatial technologies

• Government Support:
  • DST is liberalizing data access to foster innovation and entrepreneurship

• Future Scope:
  • Expanding geospatial policy applications in climate resilience, agriculture, and smart city planning

National Science Day 2025

Introduction

• National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated annually on 28th February to honor the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928.
• He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for this discovery.
• First observed in 1987, it has become a key platform for promoting scientific awareness.
• Theme for 2025: “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for VIKSIT BHARAT.”
  • Aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
  • Focuses on harnessing youth potential in science & technology.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

Objectives of National Science Day

1. Spreading Awareness
   1. Highlights the significance of science and technology in daily life.

• Showcasing Achievements
  • Displays India’s scientific progress and contributions.

• Discussing Future Innovations
  • Platform for addressing scientific challenges and technological advancements.

• Encouraging Scientific Temper
  • Promotes scientific curiosity and fosters a research-driven mindset.

Key Scientific Achievements (2024 Highlights)

1. India’s Global Standing in Science & Technology

• Ranked 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2024.
• Ranked 6th in global Intellectual Property (IP) filings (WIPO report).
• Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024: India climbed from 79th (2019) to 49th (2024).

2. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Established under the ANRF Act 2023 to boost R&D.
• Key Initiatives:
  • PM Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) – Supports young researchers.
  • EV Mission – Promotes electric vehicle innovation.
  • Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) – Encourages institutional collaborations.
  • Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG) – Supports SC/ST researchers.

3. National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• Budget: ₹6003.65 crore (8-year plan).
• Aims to advance quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials.
• 152 researchers from 43 institutions working across 17 states & 2 UTs.
• Supports quantum startups via funding & mentorship.

4. National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

• Expanded India’s supercomputing power to 32 PetaFlops.
• Largest supercomputer (3 PetaFlops) at IUAC, New Delhi.
• Future goal: 77 PetaFlops using indigenous technology.

5. Artificial Intelligence & Cyber-Physical Systems

• BharatGen Initiative: India’s first multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) for Generative AI.
• I-HUB Quantum Technology Foundation (IISER Pune):
  • Funded 8 startups for quantum innovation.
  • Plans to upgrade 4 top-performing Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) into Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs).

6. Geospatial Science & Innovation

• Spatial Thinking Programs introduced in 116 schools (7 states), benefitting 6205 students.
• Training in geospatial science: 575 participants through Summer/Winter Schools.
• Future expansion to 5 more states.

7. Climate Research & Disaster Risk Mapping

• 4 new Centres of Excellence launched for flood & drought risk mapping.
• Focus on climate resilience & disaster preparedness.

8. Technology Development Board (TDB)

• ₹220.73 crore funding across 7 projects to support startups and research.

INSPIRE Program: Nurturing Scientific Talent

• Flagship initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
• Encourages youth participation in science & innovation.

Key 2024 Achievements:

• 34,343 INSPIRE Scholars, 3363 INSPIRE Fellows, 316 INSPIRE Faculty Fellows received research grants.
• 9 INSPIRE Fellows participated in JSPS-HOPE Meeting, Kyoto, Japan.
• 11th National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• INSPIRE-MANAK program: Over 1 million student entries in 2024-25.
• New Initiative: Japanese school students visited India to study Indian advancements in science & technology.
• Future Vision: Expanding INSPIRE-MANAK to Class 11 & 12 students.

Bridging the Gender Gap in Science

• WISE-KIRAN Scheme (Women in Science & Engineering-KIRAN):
  • WISE-PhD & WISE-PDF – Supports women researchers in STEM.
  • WINGS (Women’s International Grants Support) – Facilitates research training in international labs.
  • Women Leadership Program – Supports early/mid-career women scientists.

• Vigyan Jyoti Program:
  • Encouraged 29,000+ girls (Class IX-XII) to take up STEM careers.

• CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence) Program:
  • 22 Women PG Colleges received research infrastructure.

India’s Legacy in Science

• Ancient India made remarkable contributions:
  • Mathematics: Decimal system, concept of zero.
  • Metallurgy: Wootz steel, zinc extraction.
  • Astronomy & Medicine: Aryabhata’s work, Ayurveda.
• This heritage continues to drive India’s scientific growth & innovation.