Subject: Indian Geography

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), represents India's indigenous effort towards achieving self-reliance in satellite-based navigation and positioning services, crucial for both strategic autonomy and civilian applications.

Need for IRNSS

• Strategic Independence:

  • Reduces dependency on foreign navigation systems like GPS during strategic conflicts or emergencies.
  • Ensures continuous availability of positioning services within Indian territory.

• Regional Coverage:

  • Provides focused coverage over the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions up to 1,500 km from its borders.
  • Offers better accuracy and reliability compared to global systems in the Indian region.

• Economic Benefits:

  • Cost-effective solution with an investment of ₹2,246 crore, providing dedicated services for Indian requirements.
  • Supports various sectors like transportation, agriculture, and maritime operations.

Navigation Assistance Through IRNSS

• Positioning Services:

  • Delivers position accuracy of <20 meters within the primary service area.
  • Enables precise location tracking for civilian and military applications.

• Disaster Management:

  • Facilitates early warning systems and disaster response coordination.
  • Supports damage assessment and relief operations through accurate positioning data.

• Transportation Applications:

  • Aids in vehicle tracking and fleet management.
  • Enhances maritime navigation and aviation safety.

• Military Applications:

  • Provides precise targeting and navigation capabilities.
  • Ensures autonomous navigation capabilities during conflicts.

The successful deployment of IRNSS with its constellation of eight satellites demonstrates India's technological prowess in space technology. This indigenous system not only enhances India's strategic capabilities but also promotes the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" in critical space infrastructure, making India one of the few nations with its own satellite navigation system alongside the US GPS, Russian GLONASS, and European Galileo systems.