What is the GIS Track?

The GIS Track invites students to pitch innovative entrepreneurial ideas that integrate Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. By leveraging GIS, participants can enhance their concepts, gain deeper insights, and make data-driven decisions to address real-world challenges.

If you’re envisioning a business solution in areas such as smart governance, supply chain management, last-mile connectivity, agriculture, e-commerce, banking, insurance, retail, or any other sector, consider how integrating geospatial technology could add significant value to your idea.

Why GIS?

GIS is at the core of smarter decision-making across industries worldwide. From urban planning to disaster management, businesses and governments use GIS to analyze spatial data and solve complex problems. India is at the forefront of this transformation, with GIS playing a crucial role in national development initiatives.

In the past, students have leveraged GIS to develop innovative solutions, like pothole management apps, large event management systems, waste management systems, studies on glacier melting and more solutions solving real-world challenges across various sectors. By integrating geospatial technology, you can gain deeper insights, optimize processes, and maximize the impact of your entrepreneurial venture.

About Esri India

Esri India is the country’s leading end-to-end Geographic Information System (GIS) software and solutions provider. Since 1996, Esri India has spearheaded various industry initiatives, driving the growth and adoption of GIS technology across government, businesses, academia, and NGOs. Today, organizations of all sizes and industries in India rely on GIS to plan and manage their operations, enabling timely, well-informed, and mission-critical decisions.

Role of GIS in Today’s World

GIS is more than just mapping—it integrates spatial and descriptive data to uncover patterns, relationships, and insights that drive smarter decisions. Used across various fields, GIS enhances communication, boosts efficiency, and supports data-driven decision-making in diverse industries.

GIS enables:

• Optimal Location Selection – Businesses, infrastructure, and services
• Route Optimization – Logistics, emergency response, and transportation
• Asset & Resource Management – Supply chains, utilities, and conservation
• Urban & Rural Planning – City development, agriculture, and climate action
• Disaster Management – Natural disasters, public health, and security

GIS is shaping the world around us, improving efficiency, and making a lasting impact.

GIS Applications in Action (Real-World Use Cases in India)

The possibilities with GIS are endless! Here are some real-world examples of how geospatial technology is driving innovation across industries. These are just suggestions—your entrepreneurial idea can go beyond these and uncover new opportunities!

1. Smart Infrastructure & Urban Planning – PM Gati Shakti

• Why? India is building a world-class infrastructure ecosystem to drive economic growth.
• How GIS Helps:
  • Smart corridor planning for highways, railways, and logistics.
  • Real-time freight tracking for supply chain optimization.
  • GIS-based infrastructure gap analysis for better connectivity.

2. Water Security & Conservation – Jal Jeevan Mission & Namami Gange

• Why? Ensuring clean water access and restoring India’s rivers.
• How GIS Helps:
  • Real-time monitoring of water distribution networks.
  • AI-driven analytics for groundwater recharge planning.
  • Satellite-based tracking of river pollution.

3. Rural Development & Smart Villages

• Why? Empowering rural communities through technology.
• How GIS Helps:
  • Mapping Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
  • Identifying locations for skill development hubs.
  • Tracking government welfare schemes.

4. Healthcare & Disease Control – Swasth Bharat & Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan

• Why? Strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure.
• How GIS Helps:
  • Mapping healthcare facility accessibility.
  • Real-time disease outbreak and vaccination tracking.
  • AI-powered GIS analysis for health interventions.

5. Disaster Management & Resilience

• Why? India faces frequent natural disasters.
• How GIS Helps:
  • Early warning systems using spatial data.
  • Real-time disaster impact assessment.
  • Risk mapping for disaster preparedness.

Summary

The GIS Track in Youth Ideathon empowers students to develop groundbreaking ideas by integrating geospatial intelligence. Whether optimizing transportation, driving sustainability, or improving governance, GIS is a powerful tool for solving real-world problems.

We look forward to seeing how young innovators harness the power of GIS to create solutions that shape the future.