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India formally raised objections with the United Nations over the depiction of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin on a new UN Geospatial world map issued on 1 July 2026.
The map uses the Equal Earth projection, an equal-area projection introduced in 2018, and shows the two areas lying between unspecified Indian and Chinese claim lines.
The MEA restated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that the whole Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, is integral and inalienable Indian territory.
India had voted for the UNGA 'Correct the map' resolution on 4 September 2026, but clarified that the vote endorsed equal-area representation only, not any map, projection or boundary depiction.
UN Geospatial issues a new world map on the Equal Earth projection
UN General Assembly adopts the 'Correct the map' resolution 164-1-6; India votes in favour
India clarifies that its vote supported equal-area representation and endorsed no specific map, projection or boundary depiction
India formally flags the depiction of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as anomalous and takes it up with the UN
Publishing a map of India that does not conform to the maps published by the Survey of India is punishable with imprisonment up to six months, or fine, or both. A court can take cognizance only on a complaint made by the Government.
Encourages governments, schools, international organisations and technology companies to use the Equal Earth and other equal-area projections where the comparative size of regions matters. It does not ban the Mercator projection and does not settle any boundary.
The United Nations unit that prepares and issues official UN maps, including the world map of 1 July 2026
India's National Mapping Agency, under the Department of Science and Technology; its published maps are the legal reference for how India's boundaries must be depicted
Nodal ministry that lodged India's objection; spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the public statement
Aksai Chin is a high-altitude plateau in the WESTERN sector of the India-China boundary, which India holds as part of the Union Territory of Ladakh and which China administers. Arunachal Pradesh lies in the EASTERN sector, is claimed by China as 'South Tibet', and is separated from Tibet by the McMahon Line. Between the two lies the middle sector, along Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
GS Paper II > India and its Neighbourhood; GS Paper I > World Geography (map projections)
General Awareness > Current Affairs and Indian Geography
General Knowledge > India's boundary disputes
Consider the following rivers: 1. Barak 2. Lohit 3. Subansiri Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?
Answer: 2 and 3 only
Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State?
Answer: Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?
Answer: Namdapha National Park
Consider the following States: 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Himachal Pradesh 3. Mizoram In which of the above States do 'Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' occur?
Answer: 1 and 3 only
In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Answer: Arunachal Pradesh
A pseudocylindrical equal-area world map projection introduced in 2018, which preserves the relative area of landmasses rather than their shapes
A projection that keeps the ratio of areas true everywhere on the map, necessarily distorting shape and angle
A line on a map marking the extent of territory a state claims, shown where two sides' claims differ and no boundary has been agreed
A high-altitude plateau in the western sector of the India-China boundary, administered by China and claimed by India as part of Ladakh