Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Endorses Mappls

India’s Navigation App to Power Indian Railways

Ashwini Vaishnaw praises Mappls, India’s Made-in-India navigation app by MapmyIndia, showcasing 3D views, safety features, and data sovereignty; Railways integration soon.

Introduction – A Big Boost for Swadeshi Technology

India’s Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has publicly endorsed Mappls, India’s homegrown navigation app developed by MapmyIndia, marking another strong push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the digital sector.

During a video demonstration shared from his car, Vaishnaw showcased the app’s advanced navigation features and announced an upcoming integration between MapmyIndia and Indian Railways, underscoring the government’s focus on promoting indigenous digital infrastructure.

Minister’s Public Endorsement of Mappls

Vaishnaw shared a video from his car, demonstrating the Mappls app and highlighting its innovative features like 3D junction views and indoor navigation.

Swadeshi Mappls… Must Try!” Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Vaishnaw said:

“Swadeshi ‘Mappls’ by MapmyIndia. Good features… must try!”

Advanced Navigation Features Showcased

• 3D Junction Views for flyovers, underpasses, and complex intersections.
• Indoor Navigation for multi-story buildings and campuses.
• Real-time alerts for speed limits, accident-prone zones, and diversions.
• Doorstep-level precision navigation across cities and rural areas.

The minister emphasized that Mappls already comes pre-installed in all major Indian automotive OEMs and praised the app as a shining example of India’s growing digital innovation capabilities.

Strategic Partnership with Indian Railways

Vaishnaw announced that an MoU between Indian Railways and MapmyIndia will soon be signed. The collaboration will enable Mappls technology to power navigation systems for Indian Railways, assisting with mapping, route visualization, and infrastructure management.

This partnership represents a major milestone in integrating indigenous digital technologies into national infrastructure — part of the government’s broader Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Surge in Popularity & Government Backing

Following the minister’s endorsement, MapmyIndia has reported a ten-fold increase in daily downloads over the last two weeks.

The company is now in discussions with the government to make Mappls pre-installed on all smartphones manufactured under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme — positioning the app as India’s answer to foreign navigation platforms like Google Maps.

Safety-Focused Features Address Navigation Concerns

Mappls is designed with a focus on driver safety and reliability, especially relevant after recent incidents of navigation errors involving global apps.

Key safety features include:

• 3D Junction & Overpass Views: Helps prevent confusion at complex intersections.
• Accident Blackspot Alerts: Warns users about high-risk road zones.
• Speed Limit Notifications: Alerts drivers in real-time about changing road regulations.
• Precise Doorstep Navigation: Enables accurate location tracking even in remote areas.

These safety enhancements come after multiple reports of navigation-related accidents — including a July 2025 incident in Navi Mumbai, where a driver was misdirected into a ditch allegedly due to faulty navigation.

Data Sovereignty & Digital Addressing System

Unlike foreign navigation apps, Mappls stores all map data and user information entirely within India, ensuring data sovereignty and national security.

Additionally, Mappls has integrated with India Post’s DIGIPIN system, building the nation’s first comprehensive digital address framework with geo-coded coordinates for every 3.8-square-meter block, enhancing location accuracy for logistics, emergency services, and e-commerce.

Broader “Swadeshi Tech” Movement

Vaishnaw’s endorsement aligns with a broader government trend of supporting indigenous digital alternatives.

Recent examples include:

• Home Minister Amit Shah switching to Zoho Mail for official communication.
• Government support for the Arattai messaging app as an Indian alternative to WhatsApp.
• Use of Zoho and Mappls during recent Union Cabinet briefings, symbolizing the adoption of Indian software in key government operations.

MapmyIndia: India’s Digital Mapping Leader

Founded in New Delhi, MapmyIndia is India’s leading digital mapping company, holding 80–90% market share in OEM-fitted navigation systems.
It partners with nearly 10 government departments, offering mapping, logistics, and data solutions.

With over 25 years of experience in mapping India’s geography and infrastructure, MapmyIndia aims to establish itself as the core mapping backbone for India’s digital transformation journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Mappls app?

Mappls is a Made-in-India navigation and mapping application developed by MapmyIndia. It provides 3D junction views, real-time traffic alerts, accident blackspot warnings, indoor navigation, and offline maps. It serves as an Indian alternative to Google Maps, focusing on data privacy and accuracy.

2. Who endorsed the Mappls app?

India’s Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, publicly endorsed the Mappls app. He demonstrated its features in a video and praised it as a “Swadeshi” navigation solution with advanced mapping capabilities.

3. What did Ashwini Vaishnaw say about Mappls?

Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Swadeshi ‘Mappls’ by MapmyIndia. Good features… must try!”
He showcased the app’s 3D junction views, real-time alerts, and indoor navigation, encouraging citizens to try the indigenous platform.

4. How is Mappls connected to Indian Railways?

An MoU between MapmyIndia and Indian Railways will soon be signed. This collaboration will integrate Mappls technology into railway navigation systems, enabling route mapping, asset tracking, and real-time visualization — a major step toward India’s digital infrastructure modernization.

5. Why is the government promoting Mappls?

The endorsement aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India missions, aimed at boosting self-reliant Indian technologies. Mappls is seen as a secure, indigenous alternative to foreign navigation apps, ensuring that user data stays within India.

6. How has Mappls’ popularity changed after the endorsement?

After Vaishnaw’s endorsement, MapmyIndia reported a ten-fold increase in daily downloads. The company is also advocating for Mappls to come pre-installed in smartphones manufactured under the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme.

7. What makes Mappls safer than other navigation apps?

Mappls includes safety-oriented features like:

• 3D junction and overpass guidance
• Accident blackspot alerts
• Speed limit notifications
• Doorstep-level accuracy
  These features help prevent navigation errors and accidents — a key focus following incidents involving other apps.

8. Does Mappls store user data in India?

Yes Mappls stores all map data and user information entirely within India, ensuring data sovereignty and privacy protection. This local storage differentiates it from many global navigation platforms.

9. What is the DIGIPIN system integrated with Mappls?

Mappls has integrated with India Post’s DIGIPIN system, creating India’s first digital address system with geo-coded coordinates for every 3.8-square-meter block, enabling accurate delivery, navigation, and emergency response.

10. Which other Indian apps have received government backing?

Apart from Mappls, the government has promoted several indigenous platforms:

• Zoho Mail (used by Home Minister Amit Shah)
• Arattai messaging app (Indian WhatsApp alternative)
• Zoho Show & Mappls used in official Cabinet briefings
  These moves reflect India’s shift toward Swadeshi digital ecosystems.