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Q61 (IAS/2018) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Indian satellite navigation systems Official Key

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders. 3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A - only statement 1 is correct.

**Statement 1 is correct:** IRNSS will include three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit[1], giving a total constellation of seven satellites as confirmed by multiple sources.

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** The claim about coverage of "5500 sq. km beyond borders" is inaccurate. IRNSS provides coverage of the Indian continent and extending approximately 1,500 kilometers beyond[2]. This refers to 1,500 kilometers (distance), not 5,500 sq. km (area), making the statement factually wrong in both magnitude and units.

**Statement 3 is incorrect:** NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), erstwhile known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is a regional navigation satellite system[3]. IRNSS/NavIC was always designed as a **regional** system, not a global navigation system. There was never a plan for full global coverage by 2019 or any other timeline.

Therefore, only statement 1 is correct, making option A the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/satellite_missions/current_missions/irns_general.html
  2. [3] https://www.isro.gov.in/SatelliteNavigationServices.html
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : 1. IRNSS has three satelli…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 6.7/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This question is a classic 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'. It looks like a brutal data-heavy bouncer, but it is actually a conceptual sitter. The acronym IRNSS literally contains the word 'Regional', which directly contradicts Statement 3 ('Global coverage'). If you read the name, you solve 50% of the problem instantly.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): how many satellites are in geostationary orbit and how many are in geosynchronous orbit?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"INRSS will include three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit"
Why this source?
  • Directly states the number of satellites in each orbit class for IRNSS.
  • From a reputable source (ILRS / NASA GSFC satellite missions page).
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"IRNSS will include three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit"
Why this source?
  • Repeats the exact breakdown of 3 geostationary and 4 geosynchronous satellites.
  • Includes mission notes but the quoted line directly supports the orbit-count claim.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"INRSS will include three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous"
Why this source?
  • Another ILRS page instance confirming the same 3 + 4 constellation description.
  • Provides consistent corroboration across the ILRS site.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434
Strength: 4/5
“*Note: • (1) GAGAN is a satellite-based augmentation system and stands for GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation which is a joint project between ISRO and the Airports Authority of India.• (2) NavIC is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system that provides accurate real-time positioning and timing services.”
Why relevant

Identifies NavIC/IRNSS as India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system, connecting the statement to a named system students can research further.

How to extend

A student can take the named system (NavIC/IRNSS) and look up standard design choices for regional navigation constellations (e.g., mix of GEO and GSO satellites).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
Strength: 4/5
“2013: • PSLV-C25 successfully launches Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraftfrom Sriharikota (Nov 05, 2013). • Successful launch of GSAT-7 by Ariane-5 VA-215 from Kourou French Guiana (August 30, 2013). • Successful launch of INSAT-3D by Ariane-5 VA-214 from Kourou French Guiana (July 26, 2013). • PSLV-C22 successfully launches IRNSS-1A from Sriharikota (Jul 01, 2013). • PSLV-C20 successfully launches SARAL and six commercial payloadsfrom Sriharikota (Feb 25, 2013). • 2015: Ariane-5 VA-227 launched GSAT 15 (Communication Satellite) • GSLV-D6 launched GSAT 6 (Communication Satellite)• 2016: PSLV C35 launched Cartosat 2 (Meteorological Satellite) • GSLV F05 launched INSAT-3DR (Meteorological Satellite) • 2018: PSLV C41 launched IRNSS-11 (Navigation Satellite) • PSLV C40 launched Cartosat 2 (Earth Observation)• PSLV-C33 launched IRNSS-1G (Navigation satellite)”
Why relevant

Lists multiple IRNSS launches (IRNSS-1A through later satellites), showing the system is a multi-satellite constellation rather than a single satellite.

How to extend

Count the launched IRNSS satellites from this list and then consult constellation-configuration patterns (regional systems often use both GSO and GEO) to narrow plausible distributions.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 57
Strength: 3/5
“PSLV with IRS-1D successful (September). 1998: INSAT system capacity augmented with readiness of INSAT-2DT aquired from Arabsat (January). 1999: INSAT-2D the last satellite in the multi-purpose (INSAT-2D series), launched by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana (April 3, 1999). IRS-P4 (OCEANSAT), launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C2). 2000: INSAT-3B was launched on March 22, 2000. 2001: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-D1 (GSLV-D1), the first developmental launch of GSLV V with GSAT-1 on board, partially successful. 2002: INSAT-3 CGSLV-D2 launched successfully by Ariannespace (January); launch of KALPANA-1 (September). 2003: GSLV-D2, the second developmental launch of GSLV with GSAT-2, successful (May). 2004: First operational flight of GSLV (F02) unsuccessfully launches EDUSAT (September).”
Why relevant

Mentions 'Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)' and many geosynchronous/INSAT launches, showing that Indian launch practice distinguishes geosynchronous missions.

How to extend

Use the fact that ISRO differentiates launch vehicles for geosynchronous payloads to check whether IRNSS satellites were launched by vehicles typically used for GEO/GSO insertion (compare PSLV vs GSLV use).

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Keeping Time with the Skies > 11.4 Why Do We Launch Artificial Satellites in Space? > p. 185
Strength: 3/5
“The Moon is Earth's natural satellite, orbiting our planet. Besides the Moon, man-made satellites sent by various countries also orbit the Earth. These artificial satellites appear as tiny specks moving in the night sky. Most orbit about 800 km above Earth's surface and take roughly 100 minutes to complete one orbit. When I look at the night sky in early evening, I see some moving stars. What are they? Is their motion also periodic? These satellites help us in many ways like communication, navigation, weather monitoring, disaster management, and scientific research. The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has launched many satellites that support these activities.”
Why relevant

Explains different satellite orbital periods and heights as general background on satellite orbits and how orbit type relates to orbital period.

How to extend

Combine this orbital-period concept with the known periods of geostationary/geosynchronous orbits (basic external fact) to judge whether IRNSS satellites' reported orbital periods would classify them as GEO or GSO.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > SPACE SECTOR > p. 433
Strength: 2/5
“• According to ISRO, India has spent about US$1.8 billion on space programmes in 2019-20 while USA is the major player and has spent around US$19.5 billion in 2019-20. China spends around US$11 billion in 2019-20.• The three key focus areas of Indian space programme are: • Satellite communication. 1. Earth observation. 3. Satellite-aided navigation which includes GAGAN and NavIC*”
Why relevant

Reiterates that satellite-aided navigation (including NavIC) is a key Indian space focus, reinforcing relevance of IRNSS as a navigation constellation (hence likely multi-orbit design).

How to extend

Use this program-level fact to justify consulting technical summaries of NavIC/IRNSS (e.g., ISRO releases) about orbit types; program focus makes such documentation likely available.

Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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