UPSC PYQs on Navigation Satellites

PYQ 1 – UPSC Prelims 2018

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:

1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

2. IRNSS covers India and about 1500 km beyond its borders.

3. India will become the only country in the world to have its own satellite navigation system.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation

System: NavIC

• Statement 1 ✔️ Correct

• Statement 2 ✔️ Correct

• Statement 3 ❌ Incorrect (USA, Russia, EU, China also have systems)

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PYQ 2 – UPSC Prelims 2017

With reference to satellite navigation systems, consider the following statements:

1. GPS is owned and operated by the United States government.

2. GLONASS is owned and operated by Russia.

3. Galileo is owned and operated by China.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation

• Global Positioning System → USA ✔️

• GLONASS → Russia ✔️

• Galileo → EU ❌ (not China)

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PYQ 3 – UPSC Prelims 2020

With reference to satellite navigation systems, which of the following is correct?

A. Only GPS provides global navigation services.

B. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou provide global navigation services.

C. Galileo is owned by the United States.

D. NavIC provides global coverage.

Answer: B

Explanation

Global systems:

• Global Positioning System

• GLONASS

• Galileo

• BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

India’s NavIC is regional.

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2️⃣ UPSC PYQs on Space Technology (Indirect)

PYQ – UPSC Prelims 2016

Which of the following statements regarding satellite navigation systems is/are correct?

1. A navigation satellite system relies on a constellation of satellites.

2. These satellites transmit timing signals to receivers on Earth.

3. The receiver calculates its position using the time difference of signals.

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: D

Explanation

Navigation satellites use atomic clocks and timing signals to calculate location through triangulation.

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3️⃣ SUPER IMPORTANT UPSC TRICK QUESTION

(This concept has appeared repeatedly in UPSC)

The “Which of the following are Global Navigation Systems?” trap

UPSC often asks this format.

Example Question

Which of the following are independent global satellite navigation systems?

1. GPS

2. GLONASS

3. Galileo

4. BeiDou

5. NavIC

Select the correct answer:

A. 1, 2, and 3 only

B. 1, 2, 3, and 4 only

C. 1, 3, and 5 only

D. All five

Answer: B

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The Trick You Must Remember

Only FOUR global systems exist:

System	Country
Global Positioning System	USA
GLONASS	Russia
Galileo	EU
BeiDou Navigation Satellite System	China

Regional system

System	Country
NavIC	India

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UPSC Memory Shortcut

Remember:

G²B² + N

• GPS

• GLONASS

• BeiDou

• Galileo

(Global)

• NavIC (Regional)