Overview The Ministry of Science & Technology, in response to a Rajya Sabha question, outlined the current status of the National Geospatial Mission . The appraisal process, initiated after the Union Budget announcement, has moved through multiple stakeholder consultations and is now being finalised as a cabinet note. Key Developments Procedural formalities for the mission proposal have been completed and a cabinet note is under finalisation. Stakeholder consultations were conducted at various stages with relevant ministries and departments, incorporating their suggestions. Upon cabinet approval, the earmarked funds will be released for implementation. All geospatial data generated with public funds, as per the Geospatial Guidelines of 15‑02‑2021, will be freely accessible. The Survey of India portal (https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in/) now hosts the openly available datasets. Capacity‑building programmes are being run by the NIGST in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Tirupati and other premier institutes. Active participation in international platforms such as UN‑GGIM and UN‑GGCE ensures alignment with global standards. Important Facts Date of Guidelines: 15 February 2021. Data Accessibility: All non‑classified geospatial data produced with public funds must be openly available for scientific, economic and developmental purposes. Training Areas: GNSS processing, GIS , digital mapping, and geodesy. Key Personnel: The information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh . UPSC Relevance The mission illustrates the Government’s focus on building a robust geospatial infrastructure, a topic that intersects GS‑3 (Science & Technology, Infrastructure) and GS‑2 (Polity – inter‑ministerial coordination). Understanding the Geospatial Guidelines helps answer questions on data transparency and open‑government initiatives. The role of agencies like Survey of India and NIGST is relevant for questions on capacity building and skill development. Way Forward To fully realise the mission’s objectives, the following steps are essential: Timely approval of the cabinet note and release of allocated funds. Strengthening the online portal for faster data dissemination and user‑friendly interfaces. Expanding training modules to include emerging technologies such as remote sensing, AI‑driven spatial analytics, and cloud‑based GIS platforms. Deepening collaboration with international bodies like UN‑GGIM to adopt global best practices. Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of geospatial data on planning, disaster management, and economic development. These measures will ensure that the National Geospatial Mission becomes a cornerstone of India’s data‑driven governance.