Posted in Science & Technology

🛰️ Jharkhand Space Applications Center (JSAC)

   April 20, 2025

The Jharkhand Space Applications Center (JSAC), established in May 2003, is a premier institution in Jharkhand driving technological innovation through remote sensing and GIS applications. Operated under the Department of Information Technology, Government of Jharkhand, JSAC is an autonomous body that plays a crucial role in resource planning and governance.

Affiliated with the State Natural Resources Management System (SNRMS) and the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) under the Planning Commission, JSAC ensures spatial intelligence reaches even the most remote areas of Jharkhand.

👩‍💼 Leadership Update (April 2025)

As of April 18, 2024, the Director of JSAC is Ms. Ronita Ramaiah, a dynamic IAS officer from the 2015 batch. In addition to heading JSAC, she serves as the CEO of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Innovation Lab (ABVIL), reflecting the state’s commitment to merging governance and innovation.

🧑‍💼 Former Director: Shri Sarvesh Singhal, an IFS officer, was instrumental in strengthening JSAC’s institutional framework.

🌐 Official Website: jsac.jharkhand.gov.in
🌐 Department of Planning: dopjharkhand.gov.in

🌍 Mission & Vision of JSAC

JSAC’s mission is to empower Jharkhand’s governance structure using satellite technology, delivering high-accuracy spatial data and tools for decision-making. The vision includes fostering SMART Governance—Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsible, and Transparent.

From natural resource monitoring to rural development planning, JSAC is central to Jharkhand’s data-driven governance model.

🎯 Key Objectives and Services

🎯 Core Objectives

  • Mapping of land, water, forests, and infrastructure

  • GIS-based Decision Support Tools for state schemes

  • Democratization of spatial data to public and private sectors

  • Bridging the gap between technology and field-level implementation

🛰️ Services Offered

  • Remote Sensing & GIS Solutions

  • Real-Time Monitoring of Agricultural Activities

  • Weather and Advisory Systems for Farmers

  • Tele-education & Telemedicine via ISRO collaborations

  • Socioeconomic Layer Mapping for planning & development

🗂️ JSAC’s Role Across Sectors

 

Sector JSAC’s Contribution
Agriculture Crop yield prediction, drought mapping
Forestry Forest density & biodiversity monitoring
Mining & Geology Detection of illegal mining, mineral mapping
Urban Planning Smart city development, land use analytics
Environment Pollution tracking, degradation alerts
Public Utilities Mapping roads, drainage, and water systems

📈 Impact Highlights

  • ✅ Resource Assessment across all 24 districts in Jharkhand

  • ✅ Partnered with ISRO for rural education and healthcare delivery

  • ✅ Setup Village Resource Centres for micro-level development

  • ✅ Developed Disaster Mapping Tools for flood and drought mitigation

  • ✅ Enabled Real-Time Scheme Monitoring via high-resolution satellites

📌 Jharkhand NEWS: JSAC’s models are being adopted in new infrastructure planning by urban local bodies across Ranchi, Dhanbad, and Jamshedpur.

A satellite-driven land survey initiative, a key part of Jharkhand’s digital mapping push, has stumbled despite a ₹9 crore budget and the involvement of IIT Roorkee. The project aimed to survey 875 villages across Ranchi, Khunti, and Simdega, but has seen significant setbacks. Although it was expected to integrate with the JSAC spatial data ecosystem, key missteps have derailed progress:

  • The subcontracting of fieldwork to multiple vendors resulted in poor coordination and lack of data standardization.

  • The scope was limited to agricultural land, excluding residential zones, which led to major inaccuracies in village-level data.

  • A severe shortage of trained personnel, particularly Amins and survey staff, delayed operations.

  • The Revenue, Registration, and Land Reforms Department has now withheld payments and ordered a project-wide audit.

This incident shows how technological vision must be backed by on-ground execution and accountability, especially when integrating with high-stakes platforms like JSAC’s GIS database.

📌 Points to Remember:

  • Project targeted 875 villages in Ranchi, Khunti, and Simdega.

  • Executed by IIT Roorkee under state government contract.

  • ₹9 crore allocated; progress stalled due to poor planning and manpower shortage.

  • Only agricultural plots mapped—residential land omitted.

  • The Jharkhand Government has paused payments and initiated an internal review.

🛰️ This case highlights the importance of executional discipline when embedding GIS-based surveys into governance systems like those overseen by the Jharkhand Space Applications Center.

🔮 Future Vision

JSAC is now working to:

  • Increase adoption of Very High Spatial Resolution (VHSR) data

  • Automate monitoring of government schemes

  • Build an Open GIS Platform for panchayats and urban local bodies

🔚 Conclusion

The Jharkhand Space Applications Center (JSAC) is not just a government initiative—it’s the beating heart of Jharkhand’s transformation into a data-powered, technology-driven state. Under visionary leaders like Ronita Ramaiah, JSAC continues to elevate planning, disaster management, and governance with precision.

📌 Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or citizen, JSAC invites you to explore its tools and join in building a smarter Jharkhand.

✅ Points to Remember

  • JSAC was established in 2003 under the Department of IT, Jharkhand

  • Director Ronita Ramaiah is also CEO of Atal Innovation Lab

  • Services include GIS, remote sensing, and scheme monitoring

  • Collaborates with ISRO, supports smart city projects

🔗 External Links

🔔 Don’t miss an update! Subscribe and follow us on your favorite platforms:

 

Share if You Like
Author: admin