NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is India's indigenous satellite navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Unlike GPS, which provides global coverage, NavIC is designed to cater specifically to India and its neighboring regions. Initially approved in 2006 with a budget of $174 million, the project faced delays and became operational only in 2018. NavIC consists of eight satellites and covers India’s entire landmass and extends up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

At present, NavIC is primarily used for applications such as tracking public vehicles, providing emergency alerts to fishermen venturing into the deep sea, and monitoring natural disasters. It has been instrumental in offering location-based services in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable. However, the Indian government is now focused on promoting NavIC’s integration into smartphones, pushing for it to be included in devices sold in India starting next year. This move aims to expand the use of NavIC and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou.

NavIC’s main advantage is its control by India, providing a secure and reliable alternative to foreign satellite systems, which could be subject to geopolitical issues. India emphasizes that, unlike GPS, which is operated by the U.S. military, NavIC is under Indian control, ensuring that the service cannot be denied or degraded in times of conflict or tension.

The Indian government’s push for wider adoption of NavIC is also aimed at boosting the local industry, especially in sectors related to satellite technology and navigation services. The long-term goal is to expand NavIC’s coverage from regional to global, ensuring that its signal is available worldwide, much like GPS.