"In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, the significance of geospatial information cannot be overstated. India's ambitious digital programs, spanning domains from smart cities to precision agriculture, underscore the indispensable role of geospatial intelligence. From the innovative Smart Cities Mission to the transformative Digital India initiative, geospatial data serves as the linchpin, enabling informed decision-making and driving sustainable development. As India forges ahead in its journey towards becoming a digital powerhouse, the harnessing of geospatial data emerges as a cornerstone of this transformative endeavour.

Recognizing the importance, the National Geospatial Program (NGP) under of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has been at the forefront of empowering individuals and organizations through a series of transformative initiatives. These geospatial capacity-building programs facilitate the development of geospatial expertise essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.

Over the past decade, the National Geospatial Program has conducted three-week summer and winter schools across the length and breadth of the country, nurturing a cadre of over 5500 participants in geospatial science and technology. These immersive programs, spanning diverse thematic areas, have equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle contemporary challenges and drive innovation in geospatial domains. Along with these three-week programs, a specific program focusing on the generation of new ideas and entrepreneurial spirit in the realm of geospatial science and technology among the youth - the 'Geo-innovation Challenge' program - has been initiated.

Aligning with the educational objectives outlined in the New Geospatial Policy 2022 of the Government of India, which emphasizes the importance of popularizing this technology among school children, several workshops across the country with the State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERTs) are being organized. These workshops aimed to raise knowledge of geospatial technologies and its applications amongst the school-teachers who can be nodes for inculcating the spatial thinking in the young minds.

In a significant step towards curriculum development and training standardization, the Department of Science and Technology supports an R&D project at the Institute of Environment Education and Research, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune. This collaboration has resulted in the creation of a national portal on Geospatial Technology, serving as a repository of knowledge and resources for aspiring geospatial professionals. With an extensive database of tutorials covering GIS, Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis, the portal (dst-iget) has become a cornerstone of capacity-building efforts, attracting nearly 8000 visitors every month.

As we chart a course towards a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, the efforts of the National Geospatial Program serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path for aspiring geospatial professionals. Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, leveraging the power of geospatial information to build a better tomorrow for generations to come”.

Head, National Geospatial Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India