**Policy Summary: Availability of Contour Plans for Public Use**
This policy addresses the availability of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and contour plans for public use, particularly concerning ecologically sensitive and disaster-prone areas in India. Currently, DEMs generated from Survey of India (SoI) topographical datasets and contours in the Open Series Maps (OSM) are accessible via onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in.
The National Geospatial Mission (NGM) aims to generate high-resolution Orthoimagery (ORI) and high-accuracy DEMs for the entire country. These resources can be used for various applications, including participatory planning and environmental violation monitoring in landslide-vulnerable regions like the Western Ghats.
The Guidelines for acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data Services including Maps, 2021, mandate that all geospatial data produced using public funds (excluding classified data collected by security/law enforcement agencies) must be easily accessible to all Indian entities for scientific, economic, and developmental purposes, without usage restrictions. Government agencies receive free access, while others are subject to fair and transparent pricing.
The National Geospatial Policy, 2022, further emphasizes establishing an integrative interface for all publicly funded digital data with a location dimension, promoting easy access, sharing, use, and reuse. Topographic and other geospatial data produced by the Survey of India using public funds are considered a common good and are readily available.
Specifically, DEM/contour data of ecologically sensitive areas and disaster-prone zones (e.g., Coastal Areas and River basins) generated by SoI under various National Projects are accessible to all Indian entities.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for science and technology policies.
Survey of India: The national mapping agency of India, responsible for topographical surveys and map creation.
Open Series Maps: Maps produced by the Survey of India and made available to the public.
National Geospatial Mission: A Government of India initiative focused on generating high-resolution geospatial data for the entire country.
Western Ghats: A major mountain range in India, known for its biodiversity and landslide vulnerability.
Guidelines for acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data Services including Maps, 2021: A set of guidelines issued by the Indian government regarding the acquisition, production, and accessibility of geospatial data.
National Geospatial Policy, 2022: A policy by the Indian government aiming to improve access, sharing, use, and reuse of geospatial data.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: AVAILABILITY OF
CONTOUR PLANS FOR PUBLIC USE
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 3:35PM by PIB Delhi
Currently the DEM generated from the topographical datasets of Survey of India (SoI) and the contours in the
Open Series Maps (OSM) are available on https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in. Further, the Government
of India has recently announced the National Geospatial Mission (NGM) under which the generation of high-
resolution Ortho-imagery (ORI) & high accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the entire country has
been envisaged. These can be used for the different application in various sectors including facilitation of
participatory planning and monitoring of environmental violations in Landslide-Vulnerable regions such as
the Western Ghats.
Guidelines for acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data Services including Maps, 2021
provides that all Geospatial Data produced using public funds, except the classified geospatial data collected
by security/law enforcement agencies, shall be made easily accessible for scientific, economic and
developmental purposes to all Indian Entities and without any restrictions on their use. Such access shall be
given free of any charges to Government agencies and at fair and transparent pricing to others. National
Geospatial Policy, 2022 further provides for establishing and strengthening an integrative interface for all
digital data having location dimension collected or developed utilizing public funds, for easy access, sharing,
use and reuse. Also, the topographic data and other Geospatial Data produced by Survey of India using public
funds is treated as common good and easily available. Accordingly, the DEM/contour data of ecologically
sensitive areas and disaster-prone zones (like Coastal Areas and River basins), that have been generated by
SoI under various National Projects, are accessible to all Indian entities.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
***
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2150133)