ISRO Centres and Locations: Complete Static GK List for SSC, UPSC, Banking and Railway Exams

Introduction to ISRO Centres and Locations

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is one of the six leading space agencies in the world and a permanent favourite of paper-setters across SSC, IBPS, RRB, Insurance, Defence and UPSC examinations. Almost every General Awareness section carries at least one direct question on ISRO centres, their locations, their key functions or their founders. Mastering this single topic can fetch easy marks with very little study time.

ISRO was established on 15 August 1969 under the visionary leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, often called the Father of the Indian Space Programme. It was incorporated under the Department of Space (DOS) on 1 June 1972. Its predecessor, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), was formed in 1962 by Dr. Sarabhai and Dr. Ramanathan after the live telecast of the Tokyo Olympics through the American satellite Syncom-3 demonstrated the power of space technology to India.

This article gives you a complete, exam-ready compilation of all major ISRO centres, their locations, their roles and the most popular memory tricks to remember them. For more such high-yield static topics, you can also explore our regularly updated Static GK notes section for competitive exams.

Core Concept: What Are ISRO Centres?

ISRO operates through a nationwide network of specialised centres, each handling a specific stream of work like launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion, remote sensing, ground tracking, atmospheric research or commercial operations. Knowing which centre is located in which city is the most commonly tested aspect in exams.

• Launch Vehicle Centres: Design and develop rockets like PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.
• Satellite Centres: Design, assemble and test satellites such as INSAT, GSAT, IRS and NavIC.
• Propulsion Centres: Develop and test liquid, cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines.
• Launch Sites (Spaceports): Actual blast-off facilities such as Sriharikota.
• Tracking and Master Control Facilities: Monitor satellites after launch and keep them in orbit.
• Application and Research Centres: Use space data for remote sensing, weather, atmospheric study and education.
• Commercial Arms: Antrix Corporation and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) handle commercial launches and technology transfer.

ISRO has its Headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka, which is also home to the Department of Space and the Space Commission. The Chairman of ISRO also acts as the Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission.

Complete List of ISRO Centres and Their Locations

The data below covers every major ISRO centre, unit, observatory and commercial arm with its city, state and primary function. Aspirants preparing for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, RBI, NABARD, Insurance, RRB NTPC, RRB Group D and UPSC Prelims must commit this entire table to memory.

Major ISRO Centres in India

Commercial and Promotional Arms of ISRO

Memory Tricks and Mnemonics for ISRO Centres

Memorising the location of every ISRO centre is the toughest part of this topic. The following mnemonics, acronyms and story tricks will help you lock in every fact for life. Static GK loves repetition, so revisit our Static GK practice notes regularly.

Trick 1: The "Big Four" Headquarters Rule

"Banglore Heads, Kerala Launches, Andhra Blasts, Gujarat Applies"

• Bengaluru heads ISRO (Headquarters and URSC for satellites).
• Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) builds launch vehicles (VSSC).
• Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) is the actual blast-off Spaceport (SDSC SHAR).
• Ahmedabad (Gujarat) does space applications and payloads (SAC).

Remember these four and you have already covered the most-asked exam questions.

Trick 2: The "VSSC vs URSC vs SDSC" Confusion Breaker

"Vehicles in V, Satellites in S, Spaceport in Sriharikota"

• VSSC = launch Vehicles = Thiruvananthapuram.
• URSC = Satellites = Bengaluru.
• SDSC = SpacePort = Sriharikota.

Aspirants commonly confuse VSSC with SDSC. The trick is: VSSC builds the rocket, SDSC launches it.

Trick 3: The "Rajasthan Sky Watchers" Story

"In Rajasthan, the Sun shines in Udaipur, the Infra-red glows on Mount Abu, and the West watches from Jodhpur."

• Udaipur = Solar Observatory (Sun).
• Mount Abu = Infrared Observatory (heat / infrared).
• Jodhpur = Western RRSC.

All three are in Rajasthan, but they do completely different things.

Trick 4: Master Control Facility - "Hassan Hosts, Bhopal Backs Up"

"Hassan is the Host, Bhopal is the Backup"

• Hassan (Karnataka) = main Master Control Facility for INSAT and GSAT.
• Bhopal (MP) = MCF-B, the backup facility.

Both control geostationary satellites - never confuse them with Sriharikota, which is the launch site, not a control facility.

Trick 5: Acronym "GAINS" for the Five Major Lead Centres

"GAINS = Get All Indian Space"

• G - Gujarat (SAC, PRL, DECU - Ahmedabad).
• A - Andhra (SDSC Sriharikota, NARL Gadanki).
• I - ISRO HQ (Bengaluru, URSC).
• N - North-East (NESAC, Shillong / Umiam).
• S - South Kerala (VSSC, LPSC, IIST, IISU - Thiruvananthapuram).

Trick 6: The "Three Ahmedabad Triplets"

"Ahmedabad = SAC + PRL + DECU"

• SAC - Space Applications Centre.
• PRL - Physical Research Laboratory (founded by Sarabhai himself in 1947).
• DECU - Development and Educational Communication Unit.

Story aid: Sarabhai's hometown was Ahmedabad - so the city has the cradle (PRL), the brain (SAC) and the voice (DECU) of Indian space.

Trick 7: "Dehradun Twins" and the "Kerala Quartet"

"Dehradun has TWO - IIRS and CSSTEAP."

"Thiruvananthapuram has FOUR - VSSC, LPSC, IISU and IIST."

• Dehradun = remote sensing education hub.
• Thiruvananthapuram = the full launch-vehicle ecosystem.

Trick 8: The "North to South Border Stations" Trick

"Lucknow tracks low orbits, Port Blair tracks down range, Byalalu tracks deep space."

• Lucknow = ISTRAC Ground Station (LEO tracking).
• Port Blair = Down Range Station (early flight phase).
• Byalalu = IDSN + ISSDC (Moon, Mars, deep space).

Additional Notes for Exam Aspirants

Frequently Confused Facts

• VSSC vs SDSC: VSSC (Thiruvananthapuram) designs rockets; SDSC (Sriharikota) launches them. Both are not the same.
• URSC vs ISAC: They are the same centre. ISAC was renamed U R Rao Satellite Centre in 2018 in honour of Prof. U R Rao.
• LPSC vs IPRC: LPSC (Bengaluru HQ / Thiruvananthapuram main) develops propulsion systems; IPRC (Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu) tests them. IPRC was earlier known as LPSC-Mahendragiri until 1 February 2014.
• NRSC vs NARL: NRSC (Hyderabad) deals with remote sensing data; NARL (Gadanki, AP) deals with atmospheric research.
• Hassan vs Bhopal MCF: Hassan is the main Master Control Facility; Bhopal is the backup (MCF-B).
• Antrix vs NSIL vs IN-SPACe: Antrix (1992) is the older commercial arm; NSIL (2019) is the new commercial PSU; IN-SPACe (2020) is the regulator and promoter of private space companies, not a commercial arm.
• Father of Indian Space Programme: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Father of Indian Satellite Programme: Prof. U R Rao.

Repeating PYQ Patterns

• SSC CGL and CHSL repeatedly ask: "Where is SDSC located?" - Answer: Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• IBPS PO and Clerk ask: "Where is ISRO Headquarters located?" - Answer: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• RRB NTPC and Group D often ask: "Where is VSSC located?" - Answer: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• Insurance and SBI exams commonly ask: "Who founded ISRO?" or "When was ISRO formed?" - Answers: Vikram Sarabhai, 15 August 1969.
• UPSC Prelims tends to mix matching questions like "Match SAC, NRSC, PRL with their cities" - so memorise Ahmedabad-Hyderabad-Ahmedabad pairings.
• Defence and PSU exams ask about specific launch vehicles and missions like Mangalyaan (5 November 2013) and Chandrayaan-3 (2023).

Quick Insight - Current Affairs Relevance

ISRO's centres have been at the centre of every major mission Indians have celebrated in recent years. Chandrayaan-3 achieved a successful soft landing on the lunar south pole in 2023, making India the first country to land there. The SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission on 16 January 2025 made India the fourth country in the world after the USA, Russia and China to successfully demonstrate in-space docking. The upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, managed by the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru, is expected to carry Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit. India's second spaceport, the SSLV Launch Complex at Kulasekarapattinam (Tamil Nadu), is also under construction. These developments make ISRO centres a permanent fixture in current affairs sections. Stay updated through our Daily Current Affairs portal and test yourself on our Current Affairs quizzes.

One-Liners for Quick Revision

• ISRO Headquarters -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Apex office under DOS, founded 15 August 1969.
• Father of Indian Space Programme -> Dr. Vikram Sarabhai -> Founded ISRO and PRL.
• Father of Indian Satellite Programme -> Prof. U R Rao -> URSC renamed in his honour.
• INCOSPAR -> Formed in 1962 -> Predecessor of ISRO under Dr. Sarabhai and Dr. Ramanathan.
• Department of Space (DOS) -> Created on 1 June 1972 -> ISRO functions under DOS.
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) -> Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala -> Lead centre for launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3).
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR -> Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh -> Main launch site / Spaceport of India.
• U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Formerly ISAC, builds all Indian satellites.
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) -> HQ Bengaluru, main facility Thiruvananthapuram -> Cryogenic and liquid engines.
• ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) -> Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu -> Testing hub for liquid and cryogenic stages.
• Space Applications Centre (SAC) -> Ahmedabad, Gujarat -> Payloads, sensors, communication transponders.
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) -> Ahmedabad, Gujarat -> Founded by Vikram Sarabhai in 1947 -> Cradle of Indian space.
• Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) -> Ahmedabad, Gujarat -> Established 1985, attached to SAC.
• National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) -> Hyderabad, Telangana -> National repository of all remote sensing data.
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) -> Gadanki, near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh -> Established 1992, atmospheric studies.
• Master Control Facility (MCF) -> Hassan, Karnataka -> Main control of geostationary INSAT and GSAT satellites.
• Master Control Facility - B (MCF-B) -> Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh -> Backup MCF.
• ISTRAC HQ -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Telemetry, tracking and command network.
• ISTRAC Ground Station -> Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh -> Low Earth orbit tracking.
• Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) + ISSDC -> Byalalu, Karnataka -> Tracks Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan.
• North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) -> Umiam, near Shillong, Meghalaya -> Serves all eight North East states.
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) -> Dehradun, Uttarakhand -> Training and education in remote sensing.
• CSSTEAP -> Dehradun, Uttarakhand -> UN-affiliated space education for Asia-Pacific countries.
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) -> Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala -> Asia's first space university.
• ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) -> Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala -> Gyroscopes and inertial sensors.
• Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) -> Mohali, near Chandigarh -> Integrated circuits for space and strategic use.
• Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant (APEP) -> Aluva, Kerala -> Solid propellant oxidiser plant.
• Down Range Station -> Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands -> Early-flight tracking after lift-off.
• Eastern Regional Remote Sensing Centre -> Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Western Regional Remote Sensing Centre -> Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
• Central Regional Remote Sensing Centre -> Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Southern Regional Remote Sensing Centre -> Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Solar Observatory -> Udaipur, Rajasthan -> Sun observation by PRL.
• Infrared Observatory -> Mount Abu, Rajasthan -> 1.2-metre infrared telescope by PRL.
• Delhi Earth Station, ISRO Branch Office, DOS Secretariat -> New Delhi -> Government liaison.
• ISRO Liaison Office -> Mumbai, Maharashtra -> Industry coordination.
• Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Manages Gaganyaan mission.
• Laboratory for Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Star sensors, optics.
• Antrix Corporation Limited -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Commercial arm of ISRO since 1992.
• New Space India Limited (NSIL) -> Bengaluru, Karnataka -> Commercial PSU under DOS, March 2019.
• IN-SPACe -> Ahmedabad, Gujarat -> Regulator for private space companies, June 2020.
• First Indian Satellite -> Aryabhata -> Launched by USSR on 19 April 1975.
• First Indian Sounding Rocket -> RH-75 -> Launched 20 November 1967.
• Satellite Telecommunication Earth Station -> Set up at Ahmedabad on 1 January 1967.
• First Operational Launch Vehicle -> PSLV -> First flight 1993.
• First Geostationary Launch Vehicle -> GSLV -> First flight 2001, indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
• First Interplanetary Mission -> Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) -> PSLV-C25, 5 November 2013.
• First Indian Astronaut -> Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma -> Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
• First Indian-origin Woman in Space -> Kalpana Chawla -> American astronaut.
• First Indian Space Observatory -> AstroSat -> Launched 2015 by PSLV.
• Chandrayaan-3 -> Successful lunar south pole soft landing in 2023.
• SpaDeX Mission -> Completed 16 January 2025 -> India became 4th country to demonstrate in-space docking after USA, Russia, China.

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