Insat-2E, ISRO's first commercial whiff, completed 13 years on Tuesday.
Built for a life of 12 years in orbit, it continues to work, ISRO said.
It was the country's most advanced communication satellite of its time, with 24 transponders.
Transponders
Intelsat, the then inter-governmental body, customised and leased 11 transponders on it for $100 million over ten years.
In 2009, Intelsat, now a large US satellite operator, extended the lease of six transponders till recently.
Launched on this day in 1999 on a European launcher, Insat-2E services over 50 domestic TV channels.