Indian Satellite Navigation Policy-2021

Last Updated05/08/2021

In order to achieve the goal of self-reliance in India’s satellite-based navigation and augmentation services sector, a comprehensive and substantive policy for satellite-based navigation has been proposed.
It tends to achieve self-reliance in satellite-based navigation and augmentation services with an emphasis on assuring availability & quality, enhancing usage, working towards progressive evolution of the services, and promoting research & development.

Its aim is to address and meet the growing demands of space-based navigation and timing applications and advancements in the relevant technologies for self-sustenance in areas of commercial, strategic, and societal applications to maximize the socio-economic benefits.
The draft focus on technology development for enhancing the navigation satellite systems and work towards compatibility and interoperability of Indian satellite navigation and augmentation signals with other GNSS/SBAS signals.

Ensure guaranteed and continuous availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian uses and secured navigation signals for strategic uses in the defined coverage area
Ensure guaranteed and continuous availability of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) for aviation safety in the defined coverage area.
Ensure judicious dissemination of Signal-In-Space (SIS) interface definition and system performance reports for the intended use.
Work towards progressive evolution of navigation signals and expansion of coverage for enhanced use.
Focus on technology development for enhancing navigation satellite systems.
Work towards compatibility and interoperability of Indian satellite navigation and augmentation signals with other GNSS/SBAS signals.
Promote Indian Industry and academia to carry out research and development activities in the field of satellite navigation-based applications with emphasis on societal benefits.
Work towards facilitating global usage of Indian satellite navigation and augmentation systems.

The government of India has developed a Regional Navigation Satellite System, viz., NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), an all-weather space based navigation system operating within the specified coverage area.
NavIC provides signals which can be used to accurately determine position, velocity, and time in a common reference frame on a 24x7 basis.
The NavIC system consists of Space Segment and Ground Segment The space segment operates in conjunction with ground segment to enable the navigation services for the end user.
The end-use for satellite-based navigation system is broadly classified as civilian and strategic

Government of India has developed a Satellite Based Augmentation System, viz., GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) - an all-weather space based augmentation system operating within the specified coverage area.
It has been jointly developed by ISRO and AAI.
The objective of GAGAN is to establish and deploy a certified satellite based augmentation system primarily for safety-of-life civil aviation applications catering to the Indian airspace.

Over the years, ISRO has fostered a network with industry and academia to meet the needs of various fields of space technology /applications through inclusive and supportive efforts.
ISRO is also interacting with other user departments within Government for ensuring optimal utilisation of Indian space assets.
Government's initiatives like digital India, smart city, Make in India and other key flagship programmes has created opportunities for Indian Industry, start-ups and academia to work towards innovation in the field of satellite based navigation services.