Explanations:The Survey of India (SOI) is a government organization that has been responsible for mapping and surveying the geographical and political landscape of India since its establishment in 1767. The SOI is a part of the Department of Science and Technology and is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Its primary function is to create and maintain accurate and up-to-date maps of the country, which are essential for various governmental and non-governmental purposes, including defense, planning, and development.
One of the key roles of the Survey of India is to reflect any changes in the political boundaries of the country on its maps. This includes the creation of new states, the reorganization of existing states, and the formation of Union Territories. In 2019, the Indian government announced the reorganization of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This significant territorial change necessitated the redrawing of the political map of India to reflect the new administrative divisions.
The Survey of India was tasked with this responsibility due to its expertise in cartography and its long-standing role in maintaining the official maps of the country. The SOI has the necessary resources, technology, and expertise to accurately depict the new boundaries and ensure that the maps are updated to reflect the latest administrative changes. This process involves not only the physical redrawing of the map but also the verification of the new boundaries and the integration of the new data into the existing map databases.
It is important to note that the Survey of India is the only organization in India that has the authority to create and update official maps. Other government organizations, such as TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council), NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), and Vigyan Prasar, have different roles and responsibilities that do not include mapping or territorial changes. TIFAC focuses on technology forecasting and assessment, NITI Aayog provides policy advice on national development, and Vigyan Prasar promotes science and technology awareness.
Therefore, the Survey of India is the correct answer as it is the organization responsible for redrawing the political map of India after the official formation of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.