India’s first national platform for cooperative-led drone entrepreneurship was successfully launched at The Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, as the National Drone Summit 2026 brought together government, industry, cooperatives and rural India under the theme “From Policy to Prosperity.”
Organised by the Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society Ltd. in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the Summit marked the culmination of the Ministry of Cooperation’s five-year journey (2021–2026) and its vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation). Held from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the event combined a national launch ceremony, policy discussion, workforce implementation announcements, and a drone technology exhibition, and concluded on a note of strong optimism for India’s drone-powered rural economy.
National Drone Summit 2026: Three Transformative Launches
National Drone Summit 2026 marked a defining milestone in India’s journey towards building a collaborative, technology-driven drone ecosystem through the launch of three transformative national initiatives.
1. Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society
The launch of the Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society introduced India’s first sector-focused multi-state cooperative dedicated to the drone industry. Established under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, the Society aims to unite drone manufacturers, entrepreneurs, pilots, training institutions, service providers, startups, farmers, and industry stakeholders on a common platform to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.
2. National Mission “1 Panchayat – 1 Drone Udyami”
The Summit also unveiled the National Mission 1 Panchayat 1 Drone Udyami, an ambitious initiative to create 2 lakh drone entrepreneurs across 2 lakh agriculture-based Panchayats over the next five years. The mission seeks to make modern drone services accessible at the grassroots while generating employment, empowering rural youth, and strengthening agricultural productivity.
3. 75 Advanced Skill Centres
Complementing this vision, the Summit announced the launch of 75 Advanced Skill Centres, designed to equip India’s youth with future-ready skills in Drone Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Electric Mobility, and other emerging technologies. Set up across universities, engineering colleges, polytechnics and Government ITIs in partnership with NSDC and aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Skill India Mission, these centres will serve as hubs for industry-aligned training and innovation.
Together, these three launches represent a unified vision of strengthening India’s drone ecosystem through cooperation, entrepreneurship, skill development, and technological advancement, contributing to the national vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi and Viksit Bharat 2047.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The Summit was attended by senior government and political leadership, including:
- Shri Tarun Chugh Ji, National General Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party
- Shri Kamlesh Paswan Ji, Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Government of India
- Shri Mahipal Dhanda Ji, Hon’ble Education Minister, Government of Haryana
- Shri R.K. Gupta Ji, Vice Chairman, Cooperative Election Authority, Government of India
- Shri Anant Prakash Pandey Ji, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
- Prof. Rajive Kumar Ji, Vice Chancellor, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad
Drone Technology Exhibition and Industry Participation
Alongside the conference sessions, the National Drone Technology Exhibition 2026 showcased exhibition stalls and live drone demonstrations spanning agriculture drones, Make in India manufacturing, Drone-as-a-Service models, RPTO pilot training, AI/GIS platforms, and drone financing. The Summit drew delegates from government ministries, drone manufacturers, DGCA-approved RPTOs, financial institutions, cooperatives, universities, and rural entrepreneurs from across the country.
Press Conference
A press conference with key dignitaries and organisers was held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the venue, where leaders addressed media queries on the Society’s roadmap, the rollout of the Panchayat-level drone entrepreneurship mission, and the timeline for operationalising the Advanced Skill Centres.
