India’s drone ecosystem has entered a new phase of rapid expansion, with registered drones crossing 38,500 and nearly 39,890 DGCA-certified remote pilots as of February 2026. The surge reflects the transition of drones from experimental deployments to mainstream tools embedded in governance, agriculture, infrastructure, and public service delivery. Backed by regulatory reforms and targeted incentives, India is positioning itself as a global hub for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Regulatory Backbone: DGCA and Policy Framework
The expansion has been facilitated by reforms led by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and liberalised drone rules introduced in recent years.
Key enabling measures include:
- Simplified registration through the Digital Sky platform.
- Clear categorisation of drones by weight and usage.
- Promotion of domestic manufacturing under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
- Expansion of 240+ approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs).
The presence of nearly 40,000 certified pilots indicates growing institutional capacity in skill development.
Drones in Governance: The SVAMITVA Experience
One of the flagship deployments has been under the SVAMITVA Scheme.
Achievements include:
- Survey of 3.28 lakh villages using drones.
- Preparation of 2.76 crore property cards.
- Coverage across 31 States/UTs.
By mapping rural properties with precision, the scheme enhances land ownership clarity, reduces disputes, and improves access to credit for rural households.
Agriculture and Women-Led Innovation
Drones are increasingly transforming agriculture through:
- Precision spraying of fertilisers and pesticides.
- Crop health monitoring.
- Yield estimation.
Under the Namo Drone Didi initiative, over 1,094 drones have been distributed to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), including more than 500 under the flagship component. This initiative aims to enhance farm productivity while creating livelihood opportunities for rural women.
The integration of drones into SHG networks reflects a shift toward inclusive technology adoption.
Infrastructure, Railways, and Disaster Management
Beyond agriculture, drones are deployed for:
- Monitoring railway tracks and highways.
- Infrastructure inspection and maintenance.
- Disaster assessment and relief coordination.
- Urban planning and land surveys.
Their ability to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data enhances transparency and reduces manual inspection costs.
From Pilot Projects to Industry Ecosystem
India’s drone ecosystem now comprises:
- Manufacturers and component suppliers.
- Software and AI solution providers.
- Service operators and logistics companies.
- Research institutions and startups.
- Certified pilots and training institutions.
The shift from pilot-based experiments to large-scale deployment indicates policy maturity and ecosystem stability.
Strategic and Economic Implications
Drones hold strategic importance in:
- Border surveillance and national security.
- Supply chain optimisation.
- Urban governance and smart city missions.
- Climate monitoring and environmental management.
With sustained budget allocations, innovation grants, and indigenisation policies, India aims to become a global leader in unmanned aerial systems.
However, challenges remain in ensuring airspace safety, privacy protection, cybersecurity safeguards, and ethical deployment.
What to Note for Prelims?
- DGCA — regulator of civil aviation and drone operations.
- Digital Sky platform — drone registration and management system.
- SVAMITVA Scheme — drone-based rural property mapping initiative.
- Namo Drone Didi — women SHG-focused agricultural drone initiative.
- PLI scheme — incentive for domestic drone manufacturing.
What to Note for Mains?
- Role of drones in e-governance and service delivery.
- Balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in emerging technologies.
- Women-led entrepreneurship in technology adoption.
- Strategic importance of unmanned aerial systems in national security.
- Challenges of privacy, cybersecurity, and airspace management.
