GAGAN: Navigating India’s Skies with Precision

GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is India’s Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India.

• GAGAN enhances Global Positioning System (GPS) signals by providing real-time correction and integrity information, thereby improving the accuracy, reliability, availability, and integrity of satellite navigation.
• Integrity information alerts pilots whenever GPS signals are unsuitable for navigation, thereby enhancing aviation safety.

Operational Status

• GAGAN has been fully operational since 2015.
• It has placed India among a select group of countries with an operational Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), alongside:
  • United States
  • Europe
  • Japan
• GAGAN is the first SBAS certified for the equatorial region.

Recent Development

• In June 2026, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) successfully conducted India’s first satellite-based landing system (SLS) approach on a commercial jet aircraft using GAGAN, marking a major milestone in precision aviation navigation.

Working of GAGAN

GAGAN functions through an integrated network comprising:

• Indian Reference Stations (INRES) – Monitor GPS signals.
• Indian Master Control Centres (INMCC) – Compute correction and integrity data.
• Indian Land Uplink Stations (INLUS) – Upload correction signals to satellites.
• Communication networks.
• Geostationary satellites carrying GAGAN payloads, which broadcast enhanced navigation signals to aircraft.

Applications

• Precision aircraft navigation and landing.
• Improved aviation safety.
• Navigation at airports lacking expensive ground-based Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).
• Enhanced air traffic management.
• Applications beyond aviation, including precise positioning and navigation.

GAGAN vs NavIC

Feature	GAGAN	Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
System Type	Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)	Independent Regional Navigation Satellite System (RNSS)
Purpose	Enhances GPS signals for precision navigation	Provides indigenous Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services
Primary Users	Civil aviation	Civilian and strategic users
Coverage	Indian Flight Information Region (FIR)	India and up to 1,500 km beyond its boundaries
Function	Provides GPS corrections and integrity information	Provides independent navigation and positioning services

Source: PIB

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