This isn't an easy question to answer:
There is the National Map Policy and the Guidelines:
http://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/tenders/National Map Policy.htm
Which states:
"Export of all maps/digital data in 1: 250K and larger scales through any means is prohibited vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notification No. 118-Cus./F.No.21/ 5/62-Cus. I/VIII dt. 4th May 1963. Digital Topograhical data will be licensed to only Indian individuals, organisations, firms or companies."
However, I do not know if this means maps/digital data built upon SoI maps or *any* maps so created or what the definition of export it. My reading, OSM/Google Map Creator et. al. might violate this where the resolution is "1: 250K and larger". If I understand correctly, most maps on Wikipedia about India should be okay. Or where the map is created outside of India.
And this is problem number 1.
Then there is this:
"In addition, the SOI is currently preparing City Maps. These City Maps will be on large scales in WGS-84 datum and in public domain. The contents of such maps will be decided by the SOI in consultation with Ministry of Defence."
No idea what they mean by public domain and this is problem 2.
http://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/instructions.html#LEGAL
Which is just rather difficult to parse. AFAIK, it is illegal to *show* a map, in India, that does not conform to the SoI principles.
One option - show more than one map, which is purely a risk mitigation exercise. Or, show one map to those coming from Indian IPs - I don't even know if this is possible. Third, lobby for a change of rules which is unlikely in the short term.
More when I learn something new.
Thank you.
Best,
Gautam ________ http://social.prathambooks.org/