One of the country’s most sought after organisation, Survey of India is a National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science & Technology. Established in 1767, the Survey of India is the oldest scientific department of the government of India which advises the Government of India on all survey matters.
Survey of India ensures that all the resources are fully utilised to their best potential for the progress, prosperity and security of our own country and its future generations. It bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country’s domain is fully explored and mapped, base maps for expeditions are provided and the integrated development is followed.

History of Survey of India

The rich history of Survey of India dates back to the 18th century which began with the exploring of the unknown by the forerunners of the army of the East India Company and Surveyors. And in bits and pieces, the tapestry of the venerated Indian terrain was completed by the grave efforts of the great surveyors Mr William Lambton and Sir George Everest, who handled the prestigious Great Trigonometrical Survey. The department created three digital centres in the late eighties for generating Digital Topographical Data Base for the entire country to put to use in various planning processes and for creating a geographical information system. The specialised directorates of Survey of India such as Geodetic & Research Branch and Indian Institute of Surveying & Mapping (erstwhile Survey Training Institute) have been further strengthened. The department is also assisting many scientific programs in India related to the field of geophysics, remote sensing and digital data transfers.

Survey of India in Dehradun

The headquarters of Survey of India are based in Dehradun which boasts 18 civil engineering divisions ranging from the prediction of tides to aerial survey. The department has 23 Geo-spatial Data Centers spread across the country. The dedicated surveyors are the backbone of the Survey of India and the appointments to the Group ‘A’ Civil Engineering posts in the Junior Time Scale in Survey of India are made on the basis of competitive Indian Engineering Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The Civil Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering posts in Survey of India Service are divided into SIS (Civil) and SIS (EC & TE) that are mentioned below:

• • Draftsman
  • Plane Tabler
  • Survey Assistant
  • Surveyor
  • Officer Surveyor