Question : Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

(a) whether the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NaviC system) has seen an increase in usage of its services since its launch in 2012;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of categories of civilian use and restricted use by authorised defence personnel;
(c) whether the NaviC has emerged as a strong alternative to Google Maps or other non-Indian Global Positioning Systems and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures taken by the Government to incentivize the use of NaviC by civilians?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) & (b)
Yes Sir. The usage of NavIC services has increased since its launch, in the sectors like transportation and personal mobility. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated fitting NavIC-based AIS-140 compliant vehicle trackers in all the public and commercial vehicles. There is also an increase in the number of NavIC enabled smart mobile phone models in the Indian market. The authorised defense labs have realized NavIC enabled receiver modules for strategic applications.

(c) Google Maps is an application which uses location data from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Like any other GNSS, NavIC provides the location data to the map application like Google Maps. NavIC performance is on par with other non-Indian Global Positioning System and is a strong alternative to the non-Indian Global Positioning Systems within the coverage area.

(d) NavIC civilian signals are free-to-air. Currently, the Government has not taken any measure to incentivize the use of NavIC by civilians.

*****