MAINS Current Affairs includes Geospatial Ecosystems and Land Governance in India & India’s BRICS Presidency: Priorities & Strategic Significance

GOVERNANCE

1. Geospatial Ecosystems and Land Governance in India

Context: The Department of Land Resources has recently highlighted that geospatial information is becoming central to land governance in India.

What is a Geospatial Ecosystem?

• A geospatial ecosystem refers to the integrated network of technologies, institutions, policies, and stakeholders involved in generating and using spatial data.
• It enables real-time mapping, monitoring, and management of land and natural resources.
• Key technologies include:
  • Satellite imagery and remote sensing
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
  • Drones and LiDAR
• Together, these tools provide highly accurate spatial insights for governance and planning.

Land Governance in India

• Land governance includes the framework of laws, institutions, and processes that regulate ownership, use, and management of land.
• Major issues include:
  • Fragmented and outdated land records
  • High incidence of land disputes (large share of civil cases)
  • Rapid urbanisation pressures
  • Environmental degradation
  • Inefficient land-use planning

Role of Geospatial Technologies in Land Governance

• Digitisation of Land Records & Cadastral Mapping:
  • GIS enables precise boundary identification, reducing disputes and improving ownership clarity.
  • Supports transition towards conclusive land titling systems.
  • Example: SVAMITVA scheme using drone-based mapping
• Urban Planning & Governance:
  • Facilitates zoning, smart city development, and infrastructure planning
  • Enables data-driven urban master plans
• Natural Resource Management:
  • Monitoring of forests, water bodies, and agricultural land
  • Supports climate resilience and sustainable land-use policies
• Disaster Management:
  • Real-time mapping of floods, cyclones, and landslides
  • Improves preparedness, response, and mitigation
• E-Governance & Decision Support:
  • GIS-based platforms enhance service delivery and inter-agency coordination
  • Acts as a backbone for data-driven governance

Challenges in Geospatial Land Governance

• Institutional Fragmentation:
  • Multiple agencies manage spatial data with limited coordination
• Data Access & Standardisation Issues:
  • Past restrictions and lack of interoperability hinder data sharing
• Capacity Constraints:
  • Shortage of skilled professionals and limited grassroots adoption
• Legal & Privacy Concerns:
  • Risks related to data security and misuse
  • Need for clear regulatory frameworks
• Socio-Political Concerns:
  • Unequal access to land data may marginalize vulnerable communities

Key Initiatives in India’s Geospatial Ecosystem

• Liberalised Geospatial Guidelines (2021):
  • Reduced restrictions on mapping and promoted private participation
• National Geospatial Policy (2022):
  • Aims to build a self-reliant ecosystem and promote innovation
• Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP):
  • Integrates textual and spatial land records
• eLoc (Digital Address System):
  • Unique digital address system for precise location identification
• Other Initiatives:
  • SVAMITVA Scheme, NAKSHA programme

Way Forward

• Policy Measures:
  • Strengthen National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)
  • Promote open data and improve centre-state coordination
• Technological Integration:
  • Combine AI, GIS, and Big Data
  • Expand use of drones and real-time analytics
• Governance Reforms:
  • Move towards conclusive land titling
  • Ensure transparency and community participation
• Capacity Building:
  • Skill development in geospatial technologies
  • Encourage startups and innovation

Conclusion

• Geospatial technologies are transforming land governance by improving accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
• However, addressing institutional, technical, and social challenges is essential to fully realise their potential in India.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. India’s BRICS Presidency: Priorities & Strategic Significance

Context: India’s presidency of BRICS comes at a time of global uncertainty characterised by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological shifts.

• The objective is to leverage the collective strength of BRICS nations for broader global development.

About BRICS

• The grouping originated as BRIC (2001), a term coined by Jim O’Neill, and became BRICS in 2010 with South Africa’s inclusion.
• Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with newer members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia.

Objectives:

• Promote a multipolar global order
• Reform institutions like IMF, World Bank, and UNSC
• Strengthen South-South cooperation
• Support sustainable and inclusive growth

Significance of BRICS

• Combined nominal GDP exceeds $32 trillion, accounting for nearly 30% of global output.
• In PPP terms, BRICS contributes over 40% of global GDP, surpassing the G7.

Institutional Mechanisms

• New Development Bank (NDB):
  • Established in 2014; headquartered in Shanghai
  • Focuses on infrastructure and sustainable development financing
  • Offers an alternative to traditional Bretton Woods institutions
• Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA):
  • Provides financial support during crises
  • Reduces dependence on Western-led financial systems

BRICS Presidency

• A rotational annual leadership, where each member chairs the grouping in alphabetical order and sets the agenda.

India’s Presidency (2026)

• India assumed the chair on 1 January 2026, marking its fourth presidency.
• Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
• Emphasises a people-centric and development-oriented approach.

Key Priorities Under India’s Presidency

• Institutional Strengthening:
  • Shift BRICS from a consultative forum to a more action-driven institution
  • Advocate reforms in global governance institutions
• Economic & Financial Cooperation:
  • Promote financial innovation and digital currencies
  • Encourage trade in local currencies and sustainable finance
  • Focus on calibrated reforms without disrupting global stability
• Supply Chain Resilience:
  • Strengthen cooperation in critical sectors like semiconductors, minerals, and pharmaceuticals
• Climate Action & Sustainable Development:
  • Advance climate commitments, disaster resilience, and SDG goals
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
  • Leverage India’s platforms (Aadhaar, UPI, CoWIN) to promote digital cooperation

Challenges for India

• Internal Diversity:
  • Expansion has increased heterogeneity, complicating consensus-building
• Divergent Interests:
  • China favours rapid expansion
  • Russia views BRICS as a counterweight to the West
  • India prefers a balanced and cautious approach
• Geopolitical Balancing:
  • India aims to prevent BRICS from becoming an anti-West bloc
  • Maintains strategic autonomy

India as the Voice of the Global South

• Reflects India’s approach of strategic autonomy with active multilateral engagement
• Positions India as a bridge between developed and developing nations
• Focus areas include governance reform, development finance, and climate action

Conclusion

• India’s 2026 BRICS presidency comes at a critical moment of global uncertainty and institutional weakness.
• With its consensus-driven and balanced approach, India is well-positioned to strengthen cooperation and shape a more inclusive global order.

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