In a recent proposition to the Indian government, MapmyIndia has advocated for its Mappls application to be a mandatory inclusion in all smartphones manufactured under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This move is aimed at promoting indigenous technology and providing a viable Indian alternative to foreign mapping services.

The PLI scheme, designed to boost domestic manufacturing and exports, has significantly impacted India's smartphone industry. Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, noted that smartphone exports crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in FY25, a substantial increase attributed to the PLI scheme. Vaishnaw has also publicly endorsed Mappls, alongside Zoho, as Indian alternatives to products by foreign tech companies. This endorsement has resulted in a ten-fold increase in daily downloads for MapmyIndia's app in the last few weeks.

MapmyIndia, founded in 1995, builds digital map data, telematics services, location-based SaaS, and GIS AI technologies. The company offers a range of services, including navigation, tracking, IoT, analytics, and web mapping for various devices. They also provide GPS tracking devices and car infotainment systems.

The company's request to the government aligns with the broader "AatmaNirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative, which encourages the use of locally developed technologies. MapmyIndia had previously won the Government of India's AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge for its consumer app, Move. Government business currently constitutes less than a fifth of MapmyIndia's annual revenue, which stood at Rs 463 crore in FY25. The automotive sector is the largest contributor to their revenue, accounting for 40%.

Including Mappls in PLI smartphones could provide several benefits. Firstly, it would give a considerable boost to an Indian company in a market dominated by international players. Secondly, it would ensure that Indian users have access to a mapping service that is specifically designed for Indian conditions, with detailed and accurate data. MapmyIndia has built detailed map products for all of India, including GIS maps, 3D maps, real view, and indoor maps.

The move could also foster innovation and competition in the digital mapping space, encouraging other Indian companies to develop similar technologies. Additionally, it aligns with the government's objective of making India a global hub for electronics manufacturing and exports. The PLI scheme has already proven successful in boosting smartphone exports and creating employment opportunities.

It remains to be seen how the government will respond to MapmyIndia's proposition. However, the proposal highlights the growing importance of indigenous technology and the potential for Indian companies to play a significant role in the global digital economy.