Question of the Day – NAVIGATION WITH INDIAN CONSTELLATION (NAVIC) SYSTEM
QOTD March 15,2026
Q1. With reference to the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), consider the following statements:
- NavIC is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation to provide accurate positioning services over India and surrounding regions.
- NavIC provides two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS).
- NavIC covers the entire globe similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1-correct
NavIC is an indigenous satellite navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation to provide precise location and timing services over India and up to about 1500 km around the Indian mainland.
Statement 2-correct
NavIC provides two services: Standard Positioning Service which is available for civilian users and Restricted Service which is an encrypted service meant for authorised users such as the military.
Statement 3-incorrect
NavIC is a regional navigation system and does not provide global coverage like the Global Positioning System.
Why in news–
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) was in news mainly due to developments related to India’s satellite navigation programme and recent mission events involving new satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
In January 2025, India launched a new navigation satellite to strengthen the indigenous Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) constellation and improve India’s independent satellite-based positioning capability. This launch was part of the second-generation NVS series satellites intended to replace ageing satellites and enhance the system’s accuracy and services.
There are more questions from this topic that you should practice to make your concepts stronger.
Practice Questions (PQ)
PQ1. With reference to the satellites used in the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), consider the following statements:
- NavIC satellites are placed in Geostationary Orbit and Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit.
- The NavIC constellation consists of seven satellites.
- All NavIC satellites are placed only in Polar Orbits.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Statement 1-correct
NavIC system uses satellites positioned in Geostationary Orbit and Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit to maintain continuous coverage over the Indian region.
Statement 2-correct
Original NavIC constellation was designed with seven satellites to ensure reliable navigation coverage.
Statement 3-incorrect
NavIC satellites are not placed in Polar Orbits.
PQ2.Consider the following statements regarding the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC):
- NavIC provides better accuracy in the Indian region compared to many global systems.
- NavIC operates in L5 and S frequency bands.
- NavIC is operated by the Ministry of Defence.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1-correct
NavIC is specifically designed for the Indian region and provides high positioning accuracy in India and surrounding areas.
Statement 2-correct
The system transmits navigation signals mainly in L5 and S bands.
Statement 3-incorrect
NavIC is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation and not by the Ministry of Defence, although the restricted service is used by authorised agencies.
PQ3.With reference to satellite navigation systems, consider the following pairs:
- NavIC – India
- GLONASS – Russia
- Galileo – China
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Pair 1-correct
NavIC is India’s indigenous regional satellite navigation system.
Pair 2-correct
GLONASS is the satellite navigation system developed and operated by Russia.
Pair 3-incorrect
Galileo is the navigation system of the European Union and not China.
Previous Year Question (UPSC Prelims)
With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:
- IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
- IRNSS covers the entire India and about 1500 km beyond its borders.
- India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of this decade.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1-correct
IRNSS constellation consists of three satellites in geostationary orbit and four in inclined geosynchronous orbit.
Statement 2-correct
System is designed to provide accurate positioning services over India and up to about 1500 km beyond the Indian boundary.
Statement 3-incorrect
IRNSS, now known as NavIC, is a regional navigation system and does not provide full global coverage.
