Question map
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 ?
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] https://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/satellite_missions/current_missions/irns_general.html
- [3] https://www.isro.gov.in/SatelliteNavigationServices.html
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis 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.
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?
- Statement 2: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): does it cover the entire territory of India and extend coverage about 5,500 square kilometres beyond India's borders?
- Statement 3: Did India plan to have its own satellite navigation system (IRNSS/NavIC) with full global coverage by mid‑2019 according to official ISRO timelines?
- Directly states the number of satellites in each orbit class for IRNSS.
- From a reputable source (ILRS / NASA GSFC satellite missions page).
- Repeats the exact breakdown of 3 geostationary and 4 geosynchronous satellites.
- Includes mission notes but the quoted line directly supports the orbit-count claim.
- Another ILRS page instance confirming the same 3 + 4 constellation description.
- Provides consistent corroboration across the ILRS site.
Identifies NavIC/IRNSS as India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system, connecting the statement to a named system students can research further.
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).
Lists multiple IRNSS launches (IRNSS-1A through later satellites), showing the system is a multi-satellite constellation rather than a single satellite.
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.
Mentions 'Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)' and many geosynchronous/INSAT launches, showing that Indian launch practice distinguishes geosynchronous missions.
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).
Explains different satellite orbital periods and heights as general background on satellite orbits and how orbit type relates to orbital period.
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.
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).
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.
Explicitly names NavIC as an autonomous regional satellite navigation system (NavIC = IRNSS), linking the statement to an identifiable system.
A student could look up NavIC's defined service area or official coverage maps to compare claimed extension beyond India.
Gives India's maritime territorial limit (12 nautical miles ≈ 21.9 km) and mainland lat/long extents, providing concrete geographic boundaries that a coverage claim would need to include.
Use these boundary distances and a basic map to check whether a satellite service that 'covers the entire territory' would naturally include nearby areas ~5,500 km² beyond those limits.
Provides India's north–south and east–west extents in kilometres (about 3214 km by 2933 km), giving scale to estimate total area and to judge what an additional 5,500 km² represents relative to India.
Compare India's total land area implied by these extents with 5,500 km² to assess whether that external extension is small (plausible as a border buffer) or large.
Defines territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and EEZ (200 nautical miles), showing legal maritime zones that could be relevant if 'coverage beyond borders' refers to sea areas.
A student could check whether the claimed 5,500 km² lies within territorial waters/EEZ distances from the coast on a map, to determine plausibility.
Gives an example of a disputed border area quantified in square kilometres (13,000–15,500 km²), showing how area figures are used in boundary discussions and offering a scale comparison to 5,500 km².
Use this comparative example to reason that 5,500 km² is smaller than many disputed-territory figures, so an extension of that size would be modest and could plausibly represent a border buffer.
- This is ISRO's official page describing NavIC, showing it is a regional system rather than a global GNSS.
- It states the planned constellation size (7 satellites) and ground network — consistent with regional coverage.
- Independent paper describes NavIC explicitly as providing service over India and neighboring regions (regional coverage).
- This contradicts the idea of planning full global coverage by mid‑2019.
- Wikipedia notes completion of the 7‑satellite NavIC constellation (7th satellite referenced in 2018), indicating the planned system was the 7‑satellite regional constellation rather than a global GNSS.
- Completion of the regional constellation by 2018 implies ISRO's timeline targeted a regional system, not global coverage by mid‑2019.
Explicit definition: NavIC is described as an "autonomous regional satellite navigation system," which indicates the system's stated scope is regional rather than global.
A student could combine this with the definition of "regional" vs "global" GNSS and infer that official intent was regional coverage; then check whether ISRO announced any shift to global coverage timelines.
Chronology of IRNSS/IRNSS-series launches (IRNSS-1A in 2013 and another IRNSS launch noted in 2018) provides a launch timeline for building the constellation.
A student could count how many IRNSS/NavIC satellites were launched by mid-2019 (using a launch list/world map) and compare that number with the typical satellite count required for global GNSS coverage to judge feasibility/timelines.
Places NavIC alongside other ISRO navigation efforts (GAGAN) and lists satellite-aided navigation as a key focus area, showing ISRO's programmatic commitment to navigation services.
A student could use this to justify examining official ISRO program documents or press releases (timeline expectations) and see whether stated goals were regional enhancement or an intention to expand to global coverage by 2019.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter disguised as a Trap. While the orbit numbers (3 GEO + 4 GSO) are technical, the 'Global vs Regional' distinction is basic current affairs found in any newspaper (The Hindu S&T) or ISRO's 'About' page.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Space Technology > Indigenous Missions. The core theme is 'India's Strategic Autonomy' in space—moving away from reliance on US-controlled GPS.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Don't just stop at IRNSS. Memorize the 'GNSS Club': GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China) are GLOBAL. QZSS (Japan) and NavIC (India) are REGIONAL. Also, note the frequencies: NavIC uses L5 and S-band (and recently L1 in NVS-01).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Always check if the 'Scope' in the statement matches the 'Title' of the topic. IRNSS = Indian *Regional* Navigation. Statement 3 claims *Global*. This contradiction is your entry point. Never memorize random area numbers (5500 sq km) without visualizing them—5500 sq km is a tiny speck for a satellite system.
NavIC (also called IRNSS) is explicitly mentioned in the references as India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask what NavIC/IRNSS is, its purpose and components. Understanding that NavIC is India's regional navigation constellation links to satellite policy, civil-military uses, and comparative study with GPS/GLONASS/Galileo. Prepare by memorising system name, objectives and major launches.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > SPACE SECTOR > p. 433
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
Multiple references list PSLV/GSLV launches used to place IRNSS and other Indian satellites into orbit.
High relevance: UPSC frequently tests India's indigenous launch capabilities and which vehicles launch which classes of satellites. Knowing PSLV/GSLV helps deduce how regional navigation satellites were launched and connects to questions on space infrastructure and self-reliance. Study launch vehicle families, signature missions, and typical payloads.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 57
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Phase III: 1980–90 > p. 55
References discuss satellite orbits and typical satellite altitudes (e.g., ~800 km) and place high/mid earth orbit satellites in the exosphere, hinting at different orbit regimes used for different purposes.
Medium-high yield: Many UPSC questions require differentiating orbit types and matching satellite applications (navigation, communication, earth observation) with orbit regimes. Master typical altitude ranges and common uses (LEO for EO, MEO for navigation, GEO for fixed communications) to eliminate options in MCQs and justify answers in mains.
- 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
- Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > Exosphere (700 to 1,000 km) > p. 280
The statement concerns IRNSS (also known as NavIC); reference [4] explicitly names NavIC as India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system.
High-yield for UPSC geography/technology: understand what NavIC/IRNSS is, its purpose (regional positioning/timing) and how it differs from global systems (GPS, GLONASS). Questions often probe India's strategic space capabilities and their civil/military applications.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434
Claims about coverage 'beyond India's borders' relate to legally defined maritime extents; references [3] and [7] state India's territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles and EEZ up to 200 nautical miles.
Essential for UPSC: knowing maritime zone limits is frequently tested in polity/geography and is relevant when assessing claims about geographic or sensor/coverage extents that extend seaward. It links to questions on maritime jurisdiction, resource rights, and strategic reach of systems.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: India — Location > INDIA – LOCATION > p. 2
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 75: Rights and Liabilities of the Government > I Sea-Wealth > p. 551
Understanding different satellite classes helps place IRNSS/NavIC among India's space assets; reference [6] outlines INSAT and IRS categories.
Useful for UPSC to distinguish purposes (communication, remote sensing, navigation), enabling candidates to answer comparative questions on satellite roles, policy priorities, and application domains in civil and defence contexts.
- INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Satellite Communication > p. 84
Reference [1] explicitly describes NavIC/IRNSS as an autonomous regional satellite navigation system, which is central to judging claims about 'full global coverage'.
High-yield for UPSC: distinguishing whether a national navigation system was intended as regional or global affects questions on strategic capability, civilian applications, and policy. Mastering this helps answer timeline and capability questions and connects to broader topics on India's space policy and indigenous systems.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > Note: > p. 434
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > SPACE SECTOR > p. 433
The Atomic Clock Failure. Several IRNSS satellites faced issues with their onboard Rubidium atomic clocks. A future question will likely test: 'Which type of atomic clocks are used in NavIC?' (Rubidium) or 'Why is the L1 band being added in the Next-Gen NavIC satellites?' (Interoperability with GPS).
The 'Unit Plausibility' Check. Statement 2 says coverage extends '5500 sq. km' beyond borders. India's area is ~3.2 million sq. km. 5500 sq. km is a box of roughly 74km x 74km. Does a satellite signal covering an entire subcontinent suddenly stop after just 74km? Impossible. Satellite footprints fade over hundreds of kilometers. The unit 'sq. km' is a red flag; the real spec is '1500 km' (linear distance). Trap detected.
Mains GS-3 (Internal Security & Border Management): Quote NavIC not just as a tech achievement, but as a strategic necessity for 'Net-Centric Warfare' and 'Surgical Strikes' (reducing dependency on GPS which can be denied by the US). Also links to GS-1 (Geography) for fishermen safety alerts.