UPSC Mains 2015 GS3 Q11 — Space Technology
What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning Systems’ and Precision Positioning Systems’ in the GPS era ? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. (Answer in 200 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What do you understandDiscuss
- Scope keywords
- Standard Positioning SystemsPrecision Positioning SystemsGPS eraambitious IRNSS programmeseven satellites
- Implicit sub-parts
- Conceptual distinction between SPS (civilian/open) and PPS (military/encrypted) services.
- Strategic necessity of sovereign positioning systems to avoid dependency on foreign entities like GPS during conflict.
- Technological efficiency: How seven satellites achieve regional coverage equivalent to global systems for India's specific geography.
- Economic and security advantages specifically tailored to the Indian subcontinent and its maritime boundaries.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time on the technical history of GPS rather than focusing on the SPS vs. PPS distinction.
- Failing to mention that IRNSS (NavIC) provides both types of services, not just one.
- Vagueness on the 'seven satellites' aspect—missing the 3 geostationary and 4 geosynchronous configuration.
- Ignoring the 'GPS era' context, which implies the shift from global dependency to regional autonomy.
- Dimensions required
- Technical/ScientificStrategic/GeopoliticalEconomic/CommercialSecurity/Defense
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 50-60 words to define and contrast SPS and PPS. Use the remaining 140-150 words to discuss the advantages of IRNSS, specifically addressing strategic autonomy, regional precision, and the cost-effectiveness of the 7-satellite constellation.
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