- It is India’s third-generation launch vehicle, first successfully launched in October 1994.
- It is the first Indian launch vehicle to have liquid stages.
- It is a four-stage vehicle with multiple satellite launch capabilities and multiple orbit capabilities.
- First stage – Solid rocket motor S139
- Second stage – Earth-storable liquid rocket engine (Vikas engine)
- Third stage – Solid rocket motor S7 (provide high thrust to the upper stages)
- Fourth stage – Two Earth storable liquid engines
- It can carry up to 1,750 kg of payload to 600 km altitude Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits.