MeitY to make NavIC, India-made GPS rival, mandatory in smartphones

ISRO recently developed NavIC, Navigation with the Indian Constellation and Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series already support it. It also marks Apple’s first Made-in-India GPS integration in its devices.

The Indian government now intends to enforce NavIC integration in 5G smartphones mandatorily. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, conveyed this to the media.

Chandrasekhar outlined the requirements for 5G phones in India, emphasising that they must either offer support for NavIC-powered chips or employ NavIC chipsets. These guidelines have two key deadlines: by January 1, 2025, 5G phones must include mandatory NavIC support, while all other phones currently using GPS in the L1 band must do the same by December 2025.

Furthermore, the government intends to extend NavIC support to navigation systems in mobile phones, 5G devices, and vehicles. Presently, NavIC comprises seven orbiting satellites, with ISRO planning to expand this constellation to 12 in the near future.

Chandrasekhar outlined the requirements for 5G phones in India, emphasising that they must either offer support for NavIC-powered chips or employ NavIC chipsets. These guidelines have two key deadlines: by January 1, 2025, 5G phones must include mandatory NavIC support, while all other phones currently using GPS in the L1 band must do the same by December 2025.

Furthermore, the government intends to extend NavIC support to navigation systems in mobile phones, 5G devices, and vehicles. Presently, NavIC comprises seven orbiting satellites, with ISRO planning to expand this constellation to 12 in the near future.