GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN?
- I.It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity.
- II.It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management.
- III.It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) I and II only
GAGAN is India's satellite-based augmentation system, built by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India. It corrects GPS signals and warns pilots when a signal is unfit for navigation, which is what statements I and II describe. Statement III fails because GAGAN was made for civil aviation but is also used in other sectors, including maritime, road and rail.
- ✓ I GAGAN improves the accuracy of GPS and adds integrity information, that is, an alert when a GPS signal cannot be trusted for navigation.
- ✓ II Precise, dependable positioning across Indian airspace supports better air traffic management; the Government lists this among GAGAN's continuing aims.
- ✗ III The benefit is not limited to aviation. Government material lists maritime navigation, road transport, railways, disaster management, surveying and other sectors as users of GAGAN.
Remember · GAGAN (ISRO with AAI) is India's SBAS: it improves GPS accuracy, adds integrity alerts for aviation, helps air traffic management, and also serves maritime, road and rail.
Sources
- PIB Explainer: GAGAN, Navigating India's Skies with Precision (1 July 2026) ↗ “It enhances GPS accuracy and provides integrity information for safer aircraft navigation. Certified to international standards, GAGAN supports satellite-based landing and serves sectors beyond aviation. … GAGAN will continue to strengthen India's satellite navigation ecosystem by supporting safer air navigation, improving air traffic management, and expanding satellite-based navigation services across the country. … Although GAGAN was developed primarily for civil aviation, its high-accuracy positioning and navigation capabilities support several other sectors.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·