Imagine relying on your phone's map to find your way home during heavy rain, or a train driver depending on signals to avoid accidents. That's the magic of satellite navigation systems like America's GPS, which we all use daily without a second thought.
However, India's own NavIC, our homegrown answer to GPS, is now in deep trouble. With just three working satellites left, it's like trying to play cricket with only a few players on the field: you can't win properly.
While global giants like GPS boast over 30 satellites buzzing in space, ensuring smooth service everywhere, NavIC is struggling to even stay in the game. This isn't just a technical glitch; it's a wake-up call for our nation's self-reliance in space tech that affects farmers, fishermen, and everyday folks like you and me.
Let's break it down. NavIC—short for Navigation with Indian Constellation—is India's satellite system designed to give accurate location info, just like Global Positioning System (GPS). It helps with everything from tracking vehicles to sending disaster alerts.
However, a key satellite called IRNSS-1F, launched back in March 2016, said goodbye after its 10-year life ended on March 10, 2026. The big problem? Its atomic clock—the super-precise heart of the satellite—stopped ticking.
Think of an atomic clock as a watch that's accurate to a billionth of a second. It measures how long a signal takes to travel from space to your device, calculating your exact spot on Earth. Even a tiny time error can throw your location off by hundreds of metres, like mistaking Delhi for Gurgaon!
“Without this clock, IRNSS-1F can only send one-way signals, meaning it broadcasts data to Earth but can't help with two-way navigation. It's like a radio that plays songs but can't take requests. For NavIC to pinpoint locations accurately, it needs at least four satellites working together at once. Right now, only three are fully operational for navigation: the IRNSS-1B (launched in April 2014), IRNSS-1L (April 2018), and the newer NVS-01 (May 2023). The IRNSS-1B is already past its 10-year design life, so it could fail any day, like an old scooter that's still running, but might conk out on the road. NVS-01 is fresh and reliable, but one lone warrior can't hold the fort for an entire system meant for seven satellites,” explained space analyst Girish Linganna.
Compare this to the big players. America's GPS has about 31 operational satellites orbiting Earth, making it rock-solid for global use—from guiding planes to helping you order food online.
Russia's GLONASS runs with 24 satellites, China's BeiDou with 35, and Europe's Galileo with around 30. These systems are like well-oiled machines with backups galore, rarely facing downtime. But NavIC? Out of 11 satellites launched so far, only three provide full Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services as of March 13, 2026. Four others are stuck sending one-way messages after losing navigation ability, one is retired, and two never reached the right orbit.
The troubles began with those imported atomic clocks in older satellites. Depending on foreign technology proved risky—they failed repeatedly, turning strong satellites into half-useful ones.
That's why the new NVS series is a step up; NVS-01 uses homegrown clocks and supports the L1 signal band.
This means future phones could use NavIC with just a software update, no extra hardware needed. But even that upgrade is stalled. NVS-02, launched in January 2025, got hit by an electrical fault: its engine didn't fire right, leaving it in the wrong orbit and useless for navigation.
Delays in replacements are piling up, and with only three satellites, NavIC is way below its designed strength of seven.
“This hits us where it hurts—right in daily life. About 8,700 trains already use NavIC for real-time tracking, with plans to cover 12,000. It warns of disasters, guides ships at sea, and tracks vehicles to keep roads safe. Fishermen rely on it to find fish spots without crossing borders, and farmers use it for precise farming. But with the system teetering, these services are at risk. Imagine a cyclone warning delayed because signals aren't strong enough? Lives could be in danger. It's not just about maps; it's about safety and progress for common people like auto drivers, delivery boys, and villagers,” pointed out Linganna.
Experts say that there is hope if we act fast. By learning from global leaders who keep launching backups, India can ramp up replacements and fix these glitches.
NavIC was built to make us independent, not dependent on foreign systems that could be switched off in crises. It's time to boost our space efforts, like a family fixing their old roof before the monsoon.