Drones aren’t just futuristic toys anymore, they’re powerful tools transforming industries across India. From precision farming to defence surveillance, drones are becoming the backbone of innovation and efficiency. India is taking bold strides in the drone sector, not just by encouraging innovation but also by empowering farmers, startups, and rural citizens. But behind this rise is something critical supportive government schemes that are actively fuelling India’s drone revolution. From improving land surveys to boosting local drone manufacturing, these schemes are shaping the future of India’s drone economy. Let’s take a look at five of the most impactful government initiatives every drone enthusiast should know about.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones and Drone Components
The PLI scheme was introduced to boost India’s domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem. It offers financial incentives to drone and drone component manufacturers based on their annual sales, encouraging local production and reducing reliance on imports.
Who it benefits:
Drone startups, MSMEs, and established companies involved in drone or component manufacturing.
Benefits:
- Financial incentive of up to 20% on value addition
- Low eligibility threshold (₹2 crore for drones and ₹50 lakh for components)
- Wide coverage across drone manufacturers and parts suppliers
- Helps create jobs and boost exports
How it’s helped: Over 23 companies have already been approved under the PLI scheme, strengthening India’s drone supply chain and attracting investment.
How to enroll:
- Submit an application through the Ministry of Civil Aviation during the PLI call for proposals.
- Selected companies are evaluated based on eligibility and production capacity.
Eligibility:
- Indian companies involved in manufacturing drones or drone components
- Must meet minimum sales and value addition thresholds
- Preference for MSMEs and startups under “Make in India”
Kisan Drone Yojana (Under SMAM – Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization)
The Kisan Drone Yojana is part of the government’s push to modernize agriculture. Under SMAM, this initiative provides financial assistance and subsidies to encourage farmers and organizations to adopt drone technology for spraying, crop health monitoring, and field mapping.
Who it Benefits:
Small and marginal farmers, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), Custom Hiring Centres, and agri-tech companies.
Benefits:
- Up to 50–100% subsidy on drones depending on the beneficiary type
- Financial support for training, operation, and maintenance
- Encourages widespread adoption of precision agriculture
How it’s helped: Thousands of farmers have started using drones for spraying pesticides, reducing manual labor, improving efficiency, and cutting input costs.
How to Enroll:
- Apply via the agrimachinery.nic.in portal
- States also announce localized subsidy programs under SMAM
Eligibility:
- Farmers or registered FPOs/CHCs
- Must comply with DGCA drone usage guidelines
- Must submit required documents (landholding, identity proof, etc.)
Drone Shakti Scheme
Announced in the Union Budget 2022, the Drone Shakti scheme focuses on promoting drone startups and encouraging Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) models across India. It emphasizes capacity-building and skill development through training institutions.
Who it Benefits:
Drone startups, youth entrepreneurs, pilot trainees, and service-based drone providers.
Benefits:
- Support for setting up drone hubs and pilot training centers
- Encouragement for startups to offer DrAAS to industries and government departments
- Helps bridge the gap between drone innovation and real-world deployment
How it’s helped: The scheme has facilitated the creation of drone training hubs and provided a pathway for youth to become certified drone pilots or service providers.
How to Enroll:
- Drone training and business opportunities are coordinated through the Ministry of Civil Aviation and private DGCA-approved training centers
- Startups can approach incubators or apply through Startup India or iDEX portals for relevant support
Eligibility:
- Indian citizens and registered startups
- Basic education (class 10+) required for pilot training
- Compliance with drone usage regulations
Drone Rules 2021 & Digital Sky Platform
India’s drone regulatory framework saw a major shift with the release of Drone Rules 2021. These new rules simplify the licensing process, minimize paperwork, and create a more transparent, tech-enabled system through the Digital Sky Platform.
Who it Benefits:
Individual drone users, startups, drone training schools, and businesses using drones commercially.
Benefits:
- Online registration for drones and operators
- Interactive airspace map to avoid restricted zones
- No need for security clearances for most drone classes
- Encourages legal drone usage in agriculture, delivery, mapping, etc.
How it’s helped: Legal drone ownership and pilot certification have seen a significant rise, enabling safer and more organized drone operations in India.
How to Enroll:
- Visit the Digital Sky Platform
- Create an account, register drones, and apply for pilot licenses or flight permissions
Eligibility:
- Individuals or organizations operating drones above Nano category (250g+)
- Must use DGCA-certified drones
- Must follow NPNT (No Permission, No Takeoff) protocol
SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas)
SVAMITVA is a revolutionary rural initiative that uses drones to map residential land in villages, providing rural households with formal ownership records through property cards.
Who it benefits:
Villagers, especially those without formal property documentation.
Benefits:
- Digital property cards for legal land ownership
- Resolves disputes over property boundaries
- Enables access to bank loans and government schemes
- Supports rural development and planning
How it’s helped: As of now, millions of property cards have been issued across thousands of villages. The scheme is a major step toward digitizing rural land records in India.
How to enroll:
- No individual application required.
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj coordinates with state authorities and notifies when your village is selected for the survey.
Eligibility:
- Residents of eligible villages notified under the scheme
- Participation is automatic once survey operations begin
These schemes aren’t just government handouts- they are strategic tools to accelerate innovation, empower rural India, and make the country self-reliant in drone tech. Whether you’re a farmer, a woman entrepreneur, a tech startup, or a policymaker, there’s space for you in India’s growing drone ecosystem.
