Why in News?
The Government has confirmed that ISROs NavIC has lost its navigation ability with the number of working satellites falling below what is required for independent positioning.
Importance
- This brings up worries about how dependable India's own satellite navigation system really is at the moment.
- Getting NavIC back to strength is important for military, public and emergency response purposes.
- It brings attention back to cutting down on using outside systems like GPS.
Key Highlights
- Operational Shortfall: NavIC is working with three working satellites for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services.
- Atomic Clock Failure: Last functioning atomic clock on IRNSS-1F stopped working in March 2026.
- Minimum Requirement: NavIC requires at least four working satellites to calculate a user's location on its own.
- Limited Impact: Most smartphones won't really care, since they use GNSS systems including GPS.
- Restoration Plan: ISRO is preparing to launch NVS-03 and NVS-04 and NVS-05 are already in advanced development to rebuild the network.
Static Facts
- NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is India's regional satellite navigation system, created by ISRO.
- Previously called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
- Provides PNT services in India. It reaches up to 1,500 km beyond the country's borders.
- NavIC works with GPS (USA) GLONASS (Russia) Galileo (EU) and BeiDou (China).
About NavIC
- NavIC was created to give India its satellite-based navigation without depending on foreign systems.
- The idea started after the 1999 Kargil War, when limited GPS access showed the need for a system.
- Initially the system had seven satellites. Three in orbit (GEO) and four in inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO).
- In terms of use NavIC is used for road, rail and sea navigation emergency response, measuring, mapping, tracking vehicles, location-based services and accurate timing.
