Spatial Data Infrastructure in India: Status, Governance Challenges, and Strategies for Effective Functioning

The paper describes the status of national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI), the spatial data infrastructure (SDI) of India in terms of its vision, data formats, metadata, various standards (metadata standard, exchange standard, and application protocol), network framework, macropolicies, datapricing and dissemination policies, copyrights, and clearinghouse issues. It identifies the challenges of governance and proposes a framework for governance. It presents technical, financial, organisational, and a detailed account of institutional and policy-level challenges and describes the missing link between the National Map Policy (NMP) and NSDI. The paper presents strategies for effective functioning of NSDI using a strategic management model. A SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis for the government organisations, participating in NDSI is undertaken to assess the internal and external environments of the geographic information (GI) industry in the context of NSDI. A possible strategic direction for the GI industry in India in terms of shared vision, better intergovernmental relations, co-production, and collaboration is suggested. The paper describes the strategic plans using the SWOT matrix, which are strengthopportunity strategies, weakness-opportunity strategies, strength-threat strategies, and weakness-threat strategies. Finally, the paper suggests action plans for a vibrant NSDI. Research agenda for the effective functioning of SDI in a developing country in proposed before concluding the paper. The governance framework and strategic approach presented here will be useful for the effective functioning of SDI in developing economies in general and of NSDI in India in particular.