Central Legislation
Primary Acts of Parliament governing digital infrastructure, data, and geospatial domain.
Information Technology Act, 2000
Foundation of India's digital legal framework covering cybercrime, electronic records, digital signatures, and intermediary liability. Amended in 2008 (ss. 66A–70B). Note: s. 66A struck down by Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal (2015).
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
India's landmark data protection legislation defining rights of Data Principals, obligations of Fiduciaries, the Data Protection Board, and cross-border data transfer framework. Critical for all GIS/spatial platforms handling citizen data.
Telecommunications Act, 2023
Replaces the Indian Telegraph Act 1885. Governs spectrum allocation, telecom infrastructure right of way, and IoT networks — directly relevant for smart city sensor deployments and GIS-integrated connectivity.
Right to Information Act, 2005
Establishes citizens' right to access government records including spatial data, GIS datasets, and project documents held by public authorities. Tension with DPDP Act 2023 (s. 44 amends RTI Act).
LARR Act, 2013 (Right to Fair Compensation)
Governs land acquisition for public purposes — Social Impact Assessment, consent requirements, and compensation formula. GIS-based spatial analysis is central to SIA and conflict mapping under this Act.
Registration Act, 1908
Mandates compulsory registration of immovable property transactions. E-registration modernisation underway under DILRMP to integrate with GIS-linked property databases and BhuNaksha cadastral maps.
Rules & Operational Guidelines
Subordinate legislation and ministry-issued operational frameworks.
Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
Notified implementation rules under the DPDP Act 2023. Covers consent management, purpose limitation, data localisation, Significant Data Fiduciary designation criteria, and Data Protection Board procedures.
Drone Rules, 2021
Governs civil drone operations in India. Defines NPNT (No-Permission-No-Takeoff), Digital Sky Platform, geofencing zones, and operator licensing. Essential for GIS drone surveys and SVAMITVA-type mapping projects.
Remote Sensing Data Policy (RSDP), 2011
ISRO/DOS framework governing licensing of satellite imagery from NRSC and Antrix. Defines ground resolution thresholds, security review obligations, and data dissemination channels for spatial data users.
MeitY Cloud Services Policy (MeghRaj)
Mandates use of MeitY-empanelled Cloud Service Providers for sensitive government data including spatial, land record, and citizen PII data. GIS platforms must comply for all cloud-hosted systems.
Geospatial Policy & NSDI Framework
India's spatial data governance framework — national policies and NSDI standards.
National Geospatial Policy, 2022
DST's landmark policy replacing the restrictive pre-2021 regime. Liberalises geospatial data sharing; defines Open / Restricted / Confidential categories; mandates National Geospatial Data Framework (NGDF); establishes a unified geospatial ecosystem for India.
Geospatial Data Guidelines, 2021
DST's first liberalisation of India's geospatial data regime — removing prior restrictions on mapping by private and foreign entities, eliminating the licence/approval requirement for most civilian use. Precursor to the National Geospatial Policy 2022.
National Map Policy, 2005
Governs production and dissemination of topographic maps by Survey of India. Defines Defence Series Maps (restricted) vs. Open Series Maps (civilian use). Still operative for classified categories alongside 2022 Geospatial Policy.
NSDI Framework & Standards
India's National Spatial Data Infrastructure architecture — interoperability standards, metadata, and data sharing protocols for all government GIS projects. Overseen by NRSC/DST and hosted at nsdi.gov.in.
Land Records & Rural Mapping Programmes
SVAMITVA, DILRMP, and the broader digital land records ecosystem.
PM-SVAMITVA Scheme
Drone-based mapping of inhabited (abadi) land in rural villages, creation of property cards (Aadhar-linked), and integration with revenue records. Phase III targeting 2.5 lakh villages. Joint programme of MoPR, DoLR, and Survey of India.
Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)
Computerisation of Record of Rights (Khatauni/7-12), cadastral maps (BhuNaksha), sub-registrar offices, and integration of registration, mutation, and court records with GIS spatial layer.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
Multi-modal infrastructure GIS platform integrating road, rail, port, waterway, and energy corridors. Centrally hosted by DPIIT; open to all state governments and 16 ministries for integrated spatial planning.
AMRUT 2.0 Operational Guidelines
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation Phase 2 — mandates GIS-based master plan preparation for all participating ULBs. Water supply mapping and utility network optimisation are core deliverables.
State SDI Policies & GIS Frameworks
State-level Spatial Data Infrastructure policies and nodal agency portals.
| State | Nodal Agency | Key Programme | Status | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | BISAG-N | Revenue GIS, DILRMP Integration | Active | bisag-n.gov.in |
| Telangana | TRSAC / TSRTC | DHARANI, TSSDIP | Active | dharani.telangana.gov.in |
| Karnataka | KSRSAC | KSDI, Bhoomi Integration | Active | ksrsac.in |
| Maharashtra | MRSAC | MHGIS, Mahabhulekh | Active | mahabhumi.gov.in |
| Odisha | ORSAC | OSSDIP, Revenue GIS | Active | orsac.org |
| Rajasthan | RSAC | RSAC GIS Framework | Partial | rsac.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Uttar Pradesh | UPSAAC / NIC | UP GIS Policy, UPSDIP | Active | upsaac.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu | TNSDC | CRISP, Revenue GIS | Active | tn.gov.in |
| Haryana | HARSAC | HARSAC GIS Framework | Active | harsac.org |
| Showing 9 key state portals. For all states, visit NSDI Portal → | ||||
Draft Instruments & Open Consultations
Policy instruments under active stakeholder consultation. Verify status before citing.
National Geospatial Data Framework (NGDF) — Draft Standards
DST-led framework establishing technical standards for the National Geospatial Data Framework under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. Covers metadata, data exchange formats, and interoperability protocols.
Digital India Act (DIA) — Proposed Replacement for IT Act 2000
Proposed comprehensive legislation to replace the IT Act 2000. Covers safe harbour reform, AI regulation, open internet, and digital intermediary accountability. Status: under development as of 2025 — not yet tabled in Parliament.