Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Admin
Modern surveying in 2025 is shaped by multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou & NavIC), high-precision RTK/PPP workflows, drone-based photogrammetry and LiDAR, AI-assisted feature extraction, and cloud-native GIS/Digital-Twin platforms. To keep pace, students and practicing engineers need references that go well beyond traditional total-station work. Below is an updated, carefully curated list that blends time-tested classics with the most recent titles and open-access guides released between 2023-2025.
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1. Core Textbooks That Still Matter
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Surveying & Levelling by R. Subramanian (2nd ed., 2022 reprint) — Comprehensive treatment of plane and geodetic surveying; still prescribed in many Indian universities.
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Surveying: Volumes II and III by B. C. Punmia (17th impression, 2023) — Detailed coverage of curves, photogrammetry, and hydrographic work; a long-standing classroom staple.
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Surveying, Volume 2 by S. K. Duggal (4th ed., 2022) — Clear explanations, modernised problem sets, and up-to-date terminology.
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Advanced Surveying—Total Station, GPS, GIS & Remote Sensing by Satheesh Gopi, R. Sathikumar, and N. Madhu (2nd ed., Pearson) — Step-by-step instrument procedures and practical lab guidance.
2. New & Updated Titles (2023 – 2025)
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GPS & GNSS for Land Surveyors, 5th Edition — Leick, Rapoport & Van Sickle (2024)
Explains multi-constellation GNSS, Galileo OSNMA, NavIC L1, and the latest RTK versus PPP workflows. -
Remote Sensing – Principles, Interpretation & Applications, 4th Edition — Sabins & Ellis (2023)
Adds drone-imagery pipelines, CubeSat SAR data, and AI-driven image classification. -
The Fundamentals of Drone Photogrammetry, Mapping & Survey — Thomas Dowell (April 2025)
End-to-end UAV mission planning, GCP optimisation, and Pix4D/Metashape case studies. -
Drone Surveying: The Future of Aerial Data Collection — J. Meyer (June 2024, e-book)
Practical checklists for hardware selection, RTK-enabled drones, and up-to-date regulatory advice. -
Digital Twins, Simulation & the Metaverse — S. Chauhan (2024)
Shows how survey data feeds BIM and asset-management twins, with IFC and CityGML worked examples.
3. Specialised & Emerging-Tech References
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2023-2028 World Outlook for LiDAR Services (market report) — Essential for budgeting LiDAR survey projects and understanding service cost drivers.
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Introduction to Total Station Topographic Survey Procedures (US Engineering Manuals, 2023) — Concise field-to-finish methodology aligned with ISO 17123-8.
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UAV Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (MDPI book, 2021) — Research-grade case studies on urban mapping and forestry; still relevant for LiDAR-UAV integration.
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“Land Surveying with UAV Photogrammetry & LiDAR for Optimal Mapping” (journal article, 2025) — Demonstrates integrated LiDAR-photo point-cloud fusion techniques.
4. Open-Access Guides & Cheat-Sheets
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Drones for Surveying — Guide 2024 (Coptrz) — Free PDF with workflow charts and CAA/FAA checklists.
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LP360 Land – TrueView GO LiDAR Software (GeoCue) — Free learner licence released September 2024.
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UAV Coach Survey Drone Buyer’s Guide 2025 — Continuously updated list of RTK-equipped survey UAVs.
Kindly check the Best Books for Advanced Surveying subjects to study Civil Engineering and related technology. Also, check these Textbooks and Reference Books for Advanced Surveying.
Ready to Upgrade Your Library?
Most of the books above are available in e-book and print formats through major retailers or university libraries. Grab the latest editions, keep your firmware updated, and you’ll be fully equipped for the data-rich, automation-first world of surveying in 2025 and beyond.
