7-Dec-2022: Centre informs that the usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NaviC system) has increased in India

The Centre today informed that the usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NaviC system) has increased in India.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, NavIC finds utilisation in national projects like public vehicle safety, power grid synchronisation, real-time train information system, fishermen safety, etc. Other upcoming initiatives viz. common alert protocol-based emergency warning, time dissemination, geodetic network, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. are in the process of adopting NavIC system, the Minister informed.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, many mobile phone models in the country are already having NavIC compatibility. Department of Space is constantly engaged with the manufacturers of mobile phones and chipsets to support them technically for adding NavIC compatibility in their devices.

NavIC system provides signals for positioning. Applications like Google Maps can utilize the position obtained through NavIC or other similar system and display it on a map or other user interface for easy visualization. Signals provided by NavIC system are agnostic to the end-user application. Hence, a mobile phone which has NavIC compatibility automatically uses NavIC signals when showing position on maps.  Performance of NavIC system is at par with the other positioning systems.

The current version of NavIC is compatible with L5 and S bands. This is as per the international frequency coordination and compatibility. The current version has been able to penetrate the civilian sector. The addition of signal in L1 band will help in faster penetration in the civilian sector. The next satellites starting from NVS-01 onwards will have an L1 band for civilian navigational use.

Government is working to launch replacement satellites NVS-01 onwards for the current seven satellite constellation. Simultaneously, studies are underway to work out suitable configuration to expand the reach of NavIC beyond its current coverage.

4-Aug-2022: Government says, India’s satellite-based navigation system, NavIC, is as good as GPS of the United States in terms of position accuracy and availability in its service region

Government says, India’s satellite-based navigation system, NavIC, is as good as GPS of the United States in terms of position accuracy and availability in its service region.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said,

NavIC can help in navigation on land, air, sea and also in disaster management.

NavIC satellites are placed at a higher orbit than the GPS of United States. NavIC satellites are placed in geostationary orbit (GEO) & geosynchronous orbit (GSO) with an altitude of about 36,000 km; GPS satellites are placed in medium earth orbit (MEO) with an altitude of about 20,000 km.

NavIC uses dual frequency bands, which improves accuracy of dual frequency receivers by enabling them to correct atmospheric errors through simultaneous use of two frequencies. It also helps in better reliability and availability because the signal from either frequency can serve the positioning requirement equally well.

At the time of inception, an indigenously developed satellite navigation system was conceptualized to cater to requirements of critical national applications, including those of defence and commercial establishments. Hence the coverage area was designed to cover Indian Territory and surrounding 1500 km of Indian borders. The needs of critical national applications do evolve with time and efforts are continuously made to meet these requirements, including from the point of view of coverage.

17-Nov-2021: Give thrust to indigenous regional navigation satellite system, NavIC for global use: Vice President tells ISRO

The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today suggested to ISRO to give a thrust to the indigenously-developed regional navigation satellite system, NavIC for global use.

Addressing scientists and staff of the U R Rao Satellite Centre, he complimented ISRO for establishing and putting in operation NavIC and termed it as a significant achievement. He wanted ISRO to actively pursue the expansion of the NavIC system in terms of areas covered, services offered and its effective utilization to meet the national requirements.

Observing that India has huge potential to expand its footprint globally in the space sector, Shri Naidu urged the recently-launched Indian Space Association to contribute in a big way to make India totally self-reliant and a global leader in the space arena.

He appreciated ISRO for its leadership role in incubating Indian private entities by enabling them to participate in space-related activities. “I am sure the impressive track record of ISRO in building the knowledge base and space assets over the years will be leveraged to multiply the benefits to the nation with the participation of private players”, he added.

Describing ISRO as the pride of the nation, the Vice President said the organization is respected globally for its outstanding achievements in the field of space research. “Over the years, ISRO has made invaluable contribution to the nation’s progress by building more than 100 state-of-the-art satellites for various applications and also establishing operational launch vehicle systems like PSLV and GSLV”, he noted.

Lauding UR Rao Satellite Centre for relentlessly pursuing its mission of providing operational satellites, scientific missions, exploratory missions and Deep Space Missions, he noted that 53 operational satellites of ISRO were providing valuable services to the nation, especially in areas like telecommunication, broadcasting, meteorology, remote sensing, navigation and space science.

Expressing his happiness that India has become a world leader in the niche area of satellite-based remote sensing services, he said the remote sensing satellite data and images have become indispensable tools in enhancing efficiency and meeting the developmental needs in various areas including agriculture, forestry, oceanography, infrastructure planning, energy and environment, water resource and development planning.

Pointing out that the data from the meteorological payloads operating in various satellites facilitate forecasting of weather including drought, severe rainfalls and cyclones, the Vice President expressed confidence that ISRO will continue to conceive and build advanced on-board systems to deliver the required data. “This will further improve weather forecasting which will help farmers and enable us to better manage natural calamities”, he added.

He also expressed his appreciation that the U R Rao Satellite Centre was working on the next generation of IRNSS satellites, Chandrayaan-3 for a soft landing on Moon and Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun by next year.

Terming his visit to URSC as “truly memorable”,  he said that he was impressed by its future plans which include Venus orbiter mission and follow-on mission to Mars.

Karnataka Governor, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, ISRO Chairman, Dr K Sivan, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre (USRC), Shri Sankaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Shri Umamaheswaran and others were present on the occasion.

4-Aug-2021: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System(NavIC system) has increased in sectors like transportation and personal mobility

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC system) has increased since its launch in 2012 in the sectors like transportation and personal mobility. NavIC civilian signals are free-to-air.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, he said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated fitting NavIC-based AIS-140 compliant vehicle trackers in all the public and commercial vehicles. There is also an increase in the number of NavIC enabled smart mobile phone models in the Indian market. The authorised defense labs have realized NavIC enabled receiver modules for strategic applications.

Google Maps is an application which uses location data from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Like any other GNSS, NavIC provides the location data to the map application like Google Maps. NavIC performance is on par with other non-Indian Global Positioning System and is a strong alternative to the non-Indian Global Positioning Systems within the coverage area.

28-Apr-2021: NTIPRIT conducts webinar on "NavIC — Opportunities for the Telecom Industry" in collaboration with ISRO and telecom industry

National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT), the apex training institute of Department of Telecommunications, Government of India conducted a webinar on April 28, 2021 on the topic "NavIC — Opportunities for the Telecom Industry" in collaboration with ISRO and Telecom Industry.

The webinar was inaugurated by Shri Anshu Prakash, Union Telecom Secretary and Chairman Digital Communications Commission (DCC). The inaugural session was also addressed by Shri K Ram Chand, Member (Technology), Digital Communications Commission (DCC), Sh. R Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, and Sh. U.K. Srivastava, Sr DDG, NTIPRIT.

Shri K Ram Chand, Member (Technology), DCC in his keynote address highlighted the importance and relevance of NavIC technology. He praised NTIPRIT for continuously organizing events on latest technologies even in the midst of Covid crisis.

Sh. R Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO briefed about the NavIC system and informed that it has higher accuracy than the peer systems. He further informed that there are plans to make NavIC available on L-1 band in addition to the presently used L-5 band. He felt that the NavIC system should be made mandatory for mobile phones released in Indian markets to adopt.

Shri Anshu Prakash, Union Telecom Secretary and Chairman DCC, while formally launching the webinar, underscored the importance of integration of technology with applications so as to reap the benefits of technology to the fullest. He supported the views of Sh. R Umamaheswaran for making NavIC mandatory for all mobile phones in India. Secretary (Telecom) also stressed the use of tracking potential of NavIC in the present Covid pandemic in tracking the oxygen tankers and other essentials. He also said that the topic of the webinar is directly linked to the fruition of vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat. Secretary (Telecom) congratulated NTIPRIT for taking initiative to organize a webinar on this promising indigenous technology in the present difficult times. He also appreciated the efforts of telecom industry, including that of chipset and handset manufacturers in their efforts to adopt the NavIC service.

About NavIC: NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system established and maintained by ISRO. It covers India and a region extending up to 1 ,500 km beyond Indian mainland (primary coverage area). It provides position accuracy better than 20 m (20) and timing accuracy better than 50 ns (20). The actual measurements demonstrate accuracy better than 5 m and 20 ns respectively.

NavIC based applications are being used in various civilian sectors, including, transport, map applications, and timekeeping. Today major mobile chipset manufacturers like Qualcomm, MediaTek and Broadcom already support NavIC across various chipset platforms. A few mobile phone OEMs have also released handsets which can be enabled to receive NavIC through Over the Air firmware   update. Some examples for NavIC enabled mobile phones include the Redmi Note 9 series from Xiaomi, the Realme 6 series, the OnePlus Nord, etc.

NavIC is an indigenous positioning system that is under Indian control. There is no risk of the service being withdrawn or denied in a given situation.

About NTIPRIT: National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT) is the apex training institute of Department of Telecommunications involved in conduction of induction Training for probationary officers of Indian Telecommunication Service Group — A (ITS Group A) recruited through All India based Engineering Services Examination conducted by UPSC. Apart from Induction Training, NTIPRIT also conducts various In-Service Trainings, Management Development Programmes, Regional and International Trainings, Capacity Building workshops for Officers of Government of India in various aspects of Information and Communication Technology Administration in India.

17-Mar-2020: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

Department of Space (DoS) has reported that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has designed NavIC messaging system and developed a NavIC receiver and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) is using this messaging system to broadcast emergency warning messages like cyclone, tsunami and high waves as and when it occurs and also for broadcasting of information of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ).

DoS have reported that ISRO has transferred this technology to five industries in India to manufacture the receivers. The Fisheries Department of various coastal States have been made aware of this technology for the fishermen community. ISRO has distributed about 250 units each to the State Fisheries Department of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for the use of fishermen. ISRO also has proactively conducted trials for fishermen of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu reported that 200 NAVIC units have been provided to 80 clusters having 10 to 15 deep sea fishing boats of Tamil Nadu. Distribution of NAVIC has to be implemented by the Department of Fisheries of the respective State Governments.

Funds for fisheries activities under the Blue Revolution scheme are provided based on the proposals received from the respective States and Union Territories as these are demand driven activities and hence, there is no such prior allocation exclusively for utilization for this purpose.

Awareness programme and meetings for dissemination of information to fishermen are organised by the Department of Fisheries and alerts of high waves, cyclones, tsunami etc. are being communicated through all type of media on receipt of the information from Cyclone Warning Centre for the safety and security of fishermen and fishing vessels.

21-Jan-2020: Qualcomm unveils mobile chipsets supporting ISRO's NavIC navigation system

Qualcomm Technologies has released chipsets, supporting India's own navigation system 'Navigation with Indian Constellation' (NavIC), which is similar to the US's Global Positioning System (GPS).

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) provided consultation to Qualcomm towards enabling NavIC capability in their Snapdragon mobile chipset.

The release of chipsets will help accelerate the adoption of NavIC by smartphone OEMs. The OEMs can now release any new models for Indian market which are NavIC enabled, thus eventually making NavIC as a standard feature in the upcoming handsets, applications, processors, etc. It will also enhance the geolocation capabilities of smartphones within the coverage region of NavIC.

The initiative will help accelerate the adoption of NavIC and enhance the geolocation capabilities of mobile, automotive and the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the region – with the backing of engineering talent in India.

These enhancements will enable select mobile, automotive and IoT platforms to better serve key industries and technology ecosystems in the region and will help improve user experience for location-based applications especially in dense urban environments where geolocation accuracy tends to degrade, said the company earlier.

Support for NavIC will be available in select Qualcomm Technologies’ chipset platforms and commercial devices with NavIC support.

To date, ISRO has built a total of nine satellites in the IRNSS series, of which eight are currently in orbit. The constellation is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary, which is its primary service area.

It is designed to provide two types of services - Standard Positioning Service (SPS), which is provided to all users and Restricted Service (RS), which is an encrypted service provided only to the authorised users. The system is expected to provide a position accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area. The name NavIC was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after successful launch of the seventh navigation satellite, in April, 2016.

12-Dec-2019: US consented to designate NavIC as its “allied” navigational satellite system

The US Congress has consented to designate India's Navigation in Indian Constellation (NavIC) as its “allied” navigational satellite system along with the Galileo of the European Union and QZSS of Japan. At the same time, it has designated Russia' GLONASS and Chinese Beidou as a “non-allied system”.

The tag of the “allied” navigational satellite system allows US satellite navigation system to co-operate or to exchange data with these satellite navigation systems. This tag is designated as part of the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2020.

The designation of India's NavIC as an “allied system” is part of the American effort to develop a prototype program for multi-global navigation satellite system.

17-Dec-2018: Tamil Nadu fishermen get NavIC-powered ISRO Gadgets.

Eighty fishing boat groups were provided with 200 ISRO developed satellite enabled communication devices by the Tamil Nadu government, that will provide them real-time alerts on cyclone and weather updates.

Touted as the Indian version of the American GPS (Global Positioning System), the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) enabled communication devices provides fishermen with real-time updates.

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System constellation of eight satellites, named "NavIC", provides position, navigation and timing services over India and its neighbourhood.

The gadgets are basically 'receivers', which emit a beep signal when alerts are received. The devices are the size of a soap box and are Bluetooth enabled. The alerts can be accessed by downloading the NavIC App in android phones. The alerts will appear in Tamil.

These ISRO gadgets have been distributed free of cost. There are also no recurring costs. These have to be maintained properly.

During cyclone Ockhi last year, several fishermen went missing and the Tamil Nadu government faced criticism that timely updates about the storm was not communicated to them to enable them return home.

The state government had announced in the 2018-19 budget that the gadgets would be provided to fishermen engaged in deep sea fishing.

20-Dec-2017: Indigenous GPS

India has deployed its own regional navigational system, namely NavIC comprising of a constellation of seven navigational satellites and associated ground segment for providing position, navigation and timing services to Indian region.

The IRNSS (NavIC) enables providing position, navigation and timing information that could be utilised for a large range of civil and strategic applications and services that include terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation; precise timing; disaster management and alert messages; mapping and Geodetic data capture; vehicle tracking and fleet management; visual & voice navigation for drivers, etc.

Seven satellites of NavIC constellation are currently in orbit, the realization of IRNSS-1I, by DOS/ISRO is under progress using a contract to a consortium of private companies for carrying out assembly, integration and testing of this satellite. The satellite is planned for launch during first quarter of 2018.

NavIC provides signals in a space covering India and its surroundings, this could be utilised by using receivers on ground to determine position and time accurately. Signal in space is provided globally by GPS of USA, GLONASS of Russia, Galileo of Europe and BeiDou of China. Current global trend is to make use of ground receivers which utilise as many signals as available for providing timing and position solutions.