India’s indigenous navigation system, NavIC, has suffered a setback with the failure of the last functioning atomic clock aboard the IRNSS-1F satellite, according to a statement released by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on March 13, 2026.
NavIC’s Challenges
Atomic clocks are essential for satellites to provide accurate positional, navigational, and timing services. The IRNSS system, comprised of eight satellites launched between 2013 and 2018, has been encouraged by the government for use in Indian enterprises, including those determining the Indian Standard Time.
Currently, the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), with 30 satellites, serves as the primary reference standard for these services. Although NavIC is intended to provide services within India and a 1,500 km radius, it is also viewed as a backup system should India lose access to foreign constellations during future conflicts.
The failure of the atomic clock on IRNSS-1F further diminishes NavIC’s capabilities. A Right to Information request in July 2025 revealed that five NavIC satellites were already completely defunct, with all clocks non-functional. Prior to this latest failure, only four satellites were reliably providing positional and navigation services, as stated by the Union Minister for Space Jitendra Singh in Parliament.
Future of NavIC
ISRO has begun to address these issues by incorporating indigenously developed rubidium clocks into its next generation of satellites. The NVS-01 satellite, launched in May 2023, features such a clock. Yet, the NVS-02 satellite, launched in January 2025, did not reach its intended orbit.
ISRO plans to launch at least three more satellites by the end of 2026 to replace the aging and impaired fleet of IRNSS satellites. Even with the recent setback, the IRNSS-1F satellite will continue to operate in orbit, providing one-way broadcast messaging services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NavIC?
NavIC, or the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is India’s indigenous navigation system, informally called its ‘GPS.’
Why are atomic clocks important for NavIC?
Atomic clocks are critical to satellites being able to offer positional, navigational, and timing services.
What is ISRO doing to address the issues with NavIC?
ISRO is launching replacement satellites with indigenously developed rubidium clocks and plans to launch at least three more satellites by the end of 2026.
As India continues to develop its space infrastructure, how might the reliability of NavIC impact the nation’s strategic independence and technological advancement?
