National Institution Science & Technology

ISRO's three operational launchers and the centres that build and launch them

ISRO's Launchers page says India has three active operational launch vehicles: PSLV, GSLV and LVM3. PSLV is configured with 6, 4, 2 solid rocket strap-on motors or as a core-alone version. GSLV, with an indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage, launches up to 2 tonne class communication satellites. LVM3 can launch 4 tonne class communication satellites and 10 tonne class payloads to LEOs, and its human-rated version, HRLV, is the vehicle identified for Gaganyaan. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram designs and develops launch vehicles, the liquid and cryogenic stages come from Valiamala and Mahendragiri, and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, is the space port.

Active operational launchers: 3 GSLV communication-satellite class: up to 2 tonne LVM3 communication-satellite class: 4 tonne LVM3 payload to LEO: 10 tonne
Why it matters for exams: Which launcher carries what, and which centre does what, is a regular science-and-technology question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
6 October 2026 Source: ISRO

In plain words

HRLV Human Rated Launch Vehicle — The human-rated LVM3 identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan.