India’s regional navigation system, NavIC , is in distress. Of the 11 satellites launched since 2013, only three can still deliver PNT services. The loss of the fourth functional satellite, ISRO 's IRNSS‑1F , after an atomic‑clock failure on 13 March, has rendered the constellation unable to meet the minimum four‑satellite requirement for reliable coverage. Key Developments Only three of the original eleven NavIC satellites remain PNT‑capable. The IRNSS‑1F clock failed three days after completing its 10‑year design life. First‑generation satellites used Swiss‑made rubidium atomic clocks that suffered repeated failures. Second‑generation satellite NVS‑02 missed its intended orbit, leaving the launch abortive. Indigenous rubidium clocks, developed by ISRO‑SAC, were introduced with NVS‑01 (May 2023) and will be standard on all upcoming NVS satellites. ISRO plans to launch three more second‑generation satellites in 2026, but launch cadence remains a bottleneck. Important Facts The original NavIC constellation relied on 11 satellites, of which eight are now either de‑commissioned, failed to reach orbit, or have defective clocks. The first‑generation clocks were supplied by Swiss firm SpectraTime; after persistent failures, ISRO shifted to home‑grown clocks in 2018. The upcoming satellites will carry five clocks each (up from three) to improve redundancy. The PSLV launch schedule is constrained by budgetary limits, competing missions (human spaceflight, earth‑observation, new‑rocket R&D), and the need to support emerging private launch firms. UPSC Relevance Understanding NavIC’s challenges touches upon several GS papers: GS III – Science & Technology (space policy, indigenous technology, satellite navigation), GS II – Polity (institutional governance – absence of a dedicated navigation‑system authority akin to the US GPS Directorate or Europe’s EUSPA ), and GS I – Geography (strategic importance of regional navigation for defence and disaster management). The issue also illustrates the policy gap created by the lack of a comprehensive national space law. Way Forward Enact a dedicated national space law to delineate design, operation, and commercial responsibilities for navigation constellations. Establish a NavIC governance body similar to the GPS Directorate/EUSPA for strategic oversight, funding, and international coordination. Accelerate indigenous rubidium clock production and certify multiple suppliers to avoid single‑point failures. Increase launch capacity by streamlining PSLV schedules, leveraging private launch providers, and allocating a protected budget for PNT replenishment. Promote interoperability by encouraging Indian electronics manufacturers to support the L1 band of the NVS series, ensuring seamless use by armed forces and civilian users. Addressing these structural and technical gaps is essential for NavIC to fulfil its strategic promise of a sovereign, reliable navigation system for India and its neighbourhood.