Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?
- (a) Australia
- (b) Canada
- (c) Israel
- (d) Japan ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Japan operates the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS, 'Michibiki'), a regional navigation constellation that augments GPS over Japan and the Asia-Oceania region — option (d).
• The other systems in the world are the US GPS, Russia's GLONASS, Europe's Galileo, China's BeiDou and India's NavIC (IRNSS).
• Australia, Canada and Israel rely on GPS and augmentation services; none operates its own satellite navigation constellation.
• Regional systems like QZSS and NavIC provide sovereign positioning for strategic and civilian use.
• Hence option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Australia
- Australia uses GPS with augmentation; it has no own system.
- (b) Canada
- Canada relies on GPS.
- (c) Israel
- Israel has no satellite navigation constellation of its own.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.