**Policy Summary: NavIC Implementation and Satellite Status**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions regarding the implementation of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, also referred to as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), for railway tracking and the status of its satellite constellation.
As of July 23, 2025, the government is targeting the real-time tracking of approximately 12,000 trains using NavIC and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Currently, around 8,700 trains have been equipped with NavIC and other GNSS capabilities.
Out of the 11 satellites launched, some are not fully functional. Four satellites are providing Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services, and four are being utilized for one-way message broadcasting. One satellite has been decommissioned after reaching its end-of-life, and two satellites failed to reach their intended orbits.
The launch of NVS03 is planned for the end of 2025, with NVS04 and NVS05 launches planned subsequently, each with a six-month interval.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions and in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, provided the answers to these questions in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
NAVIC: Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) developed by ISRO.
DR. C M RAMESH: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 590 in Lok Sabha.
PRIME MINISTER: The Prime Minister of India, the head of the executive branch of the Indian government. The question was addressed to the Prime Minister's office.
DR. JITENDRA SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions and in the Prime Minister's Office, who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System: The full name of NAVIC project, now also known as NVS.
NVS03: Indian navigation satellite planned for launch by the end of 2025.
NVS04: Indian navigation satellite planned for launch six months after NVS03.
NVS05: Indian navigation satellite planned for launch six months after NVS04.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 590
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
NAVIC
590. DR. C M RAMESH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that 20,000 trains have been targeted
tracking in real-time with Navigation with Indian Constellation
(NavIC) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also true that so far 9,000 trains are equipped
with NavIC and are able to be tracked with NavIC;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether it is true that seven satellites have been put in orbit,
but some of them are not functioning;
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(f) the time by which Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
NVS-03, NVS-04 and NVS05 are going to be set in the orbit?ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
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(a) Yes Sir. Around 12000 trains are targeted for tracking in real-time
using NavIC and other GNSS constellations.
(b) & (c)
Yes Sir. It is also true that around 8700 trains are already
equipped with NavIC along with other GNSS constellations.
(d) & (e)
As of now 11 satellites have been put in orbit. Some of them
are not functioning. At present 4 satellites are providing
Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) services, 4 satellites are
being used for one way message broadcast, 1 satellites got
decommissioned after its end-of-life service. 2 satellites could
not reach the intended orbit.
(f) NVS-03 is planned to be launched by end of 2025.
Subsequently, with a gap of six months, NVS-04 & NVS-05 are
planned to be launched.
****