by Q. GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) I, II and III
(b) II and III only
(c) I only
(d) I and II only
Answer: (d) I and II only
Explanation:
GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is India’s satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It enhances the standard GPS signals by providing corrections and integrity information, ensuring higher accuracy, reliability, and availability for navigation.
Statement 1 — Correct: GAGAN builds on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GPS and GLONASS, to improve positioning precision. For aviation, it allows aircraft to safely land at smaller airports and remote airstrips without the need for costly ground-based instrument landing systems (ILS). By providing accurate approach and landing guidance, GAGAN supports both civilian and military aviation operations, increasing safety and operational efficiency.
Statement 2 — Correct: GAGAN is designed to support all phases of flight, from en-route navigation to approach and landing, for all qualified airports within its service region. It provides:
Improved accuracy in position reporting.
Greater integrity and reliability of navigation signals.
Enhanced Air Traffic Management (ATM) with more uniform and high-quality control, allowing aircraft to follow optimized flight paths and reduce fuel consumption.
Capability to support precision approaches even in challenging weather conditions.
Statement 3 — Incorrect: While GAGAN was primarily designed for aviation, it also benefits other modes of transportation, including maritime navigation, highways, railways, and even location-based services. It improves safety, efficiency, and accuracy across multiple sectors, making it a key infrastructure for India’s transport and logistics system.
Additional Info:
GAGAN is part of India’s efforts to achieve independent navigation capability and reduce reliance on foreign navigation systems. It also lays the groundwork for future developments in autonomous transportation and smart mobility systems, and supports applications like precision agriculture, fleet management, and disaster management.
Answer: (d) I and II only
