In June, 2014, Hon’ble Prime Minister urged DoS to pro-actively engage with all stakeholder ministries/ departments to maximise the use of space science in governance and development and to deepen the involvement of States.

Subsequently, DoS interacted with 68 Ministries/Departments, assessed the scope for enhanced utilization. Based on this, joint documents were prepared on “More effective Use of Space Technology Tools” with definite action plans for project formulation, capacity building and internalization / institutionalization of Space Technology.

A National Meet was organized on 7th September 2015, where the Secretaries to GOI presented the Plan of Action for enhanced space technology utilization in the respective Ministries/Departments in presence of Hon. Prime Minister. These initiatives culminated in 158 Space Application projects with 60 Ministries/Departments.

In order to address the enhanced demand for Space Technology tools and applications, DoS and corresponding ministries formulated joint mechanisms to implement the actions. Working Groups were formed by DOS and frequently interactions were held with the Ministries/Departments in steering the applications and also in formulating newer applications.

• Out of the 158 projects initiated, 94 projects are completed, with the development of methodology, web & mobile applications, online & offline geospatial database creation, training and execution of work, while 35 projects are at different stages of execution.
• These projects have not only opened up new possibilities with the stakeholder Ministries/Departments in utilizing the Space Technology based tools and applications, but also helped them in exploring more such areas of work in their ministries/ departments. Many of the projects have shown very interesting results with regard to monitoring and evaluation of programmes, decision making in flagship schemes and beneficiary oriented programmes.
• About 130 MoUs has been signed in relation to the execution of Space Application projects, with Central Agencies & State Governments/Departments.
• For strengthening the involvement of State Governments in utilizing space technology for Governance and Development, State meets have been organized for 18 States, identifying newer application potentials.
• Since July 2014, nearly 11,000 officials from various Ministries have been trained in using space technology.