Drones, originally intended for defence purposes in India, have evolved to serve an array of operations, from offering essential vaccines and medical supplies to transporting consumer products such as electronics, food, and groceries. As the country prepares to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it anticipates becoming a significant global drone hub by 2030. According to the latest EY-FICCI study titled “Making India the drone hub of the world,” the drone industry may greatly enhance India’s manufacturing potential to reach approximately US$23 billion by 2030. This highlights the nation’s potential to establish a substantial footprint in the global drone manufacturing landscape by offering profitable prospects for the localisation of vital parts like batteries, airframes, and motors while emphasising Make in India’s initiative.
Government Initiatives to Support Drone Industry in India
Various government schemes and plans encourage local drone production while significantly contributing towards Make in India’s initiative. Here’s a look at some of them:
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI)
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Nexgen Exhibitions study, the Indian drone manufacturing business will increase to Rs 9 billion in 2025. In order to achieve this goal, the Ministry has recently authorised the PLI plan for drones and their components. This scheme would provide significant financial assistance to start-ups and small-scale enterprises that are growing at a rapid pace in the era of Make in India. Moreover, the scheme has invited foreign companies to set up their production plants in the country to improve domestic production.
Drone Shakti Schemes
With this plan, the union budget has encouraged drones through start-ups while also promoting drone-related skills at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). This scheme will help firms become “Drone Shakti” in a variety of contexts while also promoting Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS). Several courses have begun at ITIs across all states as part of this scheme. In addition, organisations can utilize DAAS to provide multiple drone services and fulfil their requirements without investing in drone software, hardware, pilots, or other training programs.
Svamitva Scheme
The Svamitva Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a central sector plan that has made substantial contributions to the empowerment of rural people in India. The scheme ensures accurate separation of land parcels by utilising cutting-edge drone surveys and GIS mapping technology, thereby minimising disputes while supplying individuals with property records of rights, known as SVAMITVA Property Cards, facilitating property monetization, bank loans, and comprehensive village-level planning. The scheme, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024–25, has achieved several milestones. As per the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, a total of 2.90 lakh villages have undergone their drone surveys, and 1.66 crore property cards for 1.06 lakh villages have been generated.
Ban on Imports
In addition to several measures intended to encourage local drone manufacturing, the Indian government has prohibited the import of drones into the country. Following the prohibition, there has been a significant movement towards domestically developed drones, with 77% of new registrations being locally based models, as stated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The Future Soars High
As the Indian drone industry grows, the future promises numerous possibilities. While the nation moves ahead with the Make in India initiative, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has simplified and liberalised the policy for the export of drones and UAVs intended for civilian usage from India. The government also announced a scheme in which the Centre will offer drones to over 15,000 self-help groups (SHG) run by women between 2023–24 and 2025–2026. SHGs can further rent out these drones to farmers. Furthermore, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has also projected that the Indian drone market will grow at a 22.5% CAGR over the next five years. This development will be fueled by rising demand for drones from businesses, the availability of trained labour, and the government’s encouraging policies.
By embracing innovation, cooperation, and sustainable practices, India can not only realise its aim of being a global drone hub but also promote inclusive growth, job creation, and technical advancement in the future. The momentum acquired thus far provides a firm basis for a future in which Indian drones fly to unprecedented heights, contributing to the country’s economic success and scientific superiority on a global scale.
