Mapathon is a map making competition for creating thematic maps, using open source data and mapping software. It is a collaborative event where participants come together to develop new tools/methods that improve the accuracy and usefulness of maps for a community. The Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab is the only and dedicated technical partner of the World’s biggest mapping challenge, the ‘IIT Bombay-FOSSEE-Mapathon. The FOSSEE project, IIT Bombay is the main organizer of this grand initiative. The primary objective is to understand the potential of remote sensing data and make maps for Indian regions using free open source mapping software and build capacity for the same. The participants collectively work in a crowd sourcing method for jointly producing thematic maps of India. Mapathon also aims to develop indigenous capacity to customize and employ mapping to resolve societal challenges and create new opportunities for young India. The data collected from various platforms have tremendous potential in mapping India’s natural resources, agriculture, climate and disaster management, rural and urban planning and in identifying pathways for future development. Such maps can be created using Free Open Source platforms. Let us join together to create such maps through the Mapathon.