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GS3 · Space, Weather

NavIC status and cloud seeding research

1 min readClimatologyISRO Missions
Battle IAS current affairs title card: NavIC status and cloud seeding research (GS3 · Space, Weather, 23 July 2025)

What happened

  • 11 NavIC satellites have been placed in orbit; 4 now give PNT services, 4 are used for one-way messaging, 1 was decommissioned and 2 did not reach orbit; NVS-03 is due by end-2025 [PIB, Parliament reply].
  • IITM ran the CAIPEEX cloud seeding study in 2018-2019 over the rain-shadow peninsula [PIB, Parliament reply].

Background

  • About 8700 trains carry NavIC with other GNSS [PIB].

Why it matters

  • Only four working PNT satellites is a gap for a regional system.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Important geophysical phenomena; monsoon

  1. As per PIB (2025-07-23): 11 NavIC satellites have been placed in orbit; 4 now give PNT services, 4 are used for one-way messaging, 1 was decommissioned and 2 did not reach orbit; NVS-03 is due by end-2025.
  2. Only four working PNT satellites is a gap for a regional system.
Quotable data point

IITM ran the CAIPEEX cloud seeding study in 2018-2019 over the rain-shadow peninsula.

PIB: DoS: PQ NavIC, 23 Jul 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: NavIC, CAIPEEX.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

NavIC satellites providing PNT (July 2025)

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

CAIPEEX was run by

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerWeather Forecasting in India and Mission Mausam: IMD, Numerical Models, Doppler Radars, Bharat Forecast System, Supercomputers, Weather Modification and Early Warnings (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerISRO and India’s Space Programme: History, Launch Vehicles, Major Missions from Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-3, Space Sector Reforms and the Road to 2040 (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: DoS: PQ NavIC, 23 Jul 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending