Drone technology has evolved significantly since its inception in military applications during the 19th century. The first recorded instance was in 1849, when unmanned balloons laden with explosives attempted an attack on Venice. Over time, drones have advanced and expanded into various sectors, including defense, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Originally developed for military use, drone technology has experienced rapid growth in commercial applications over the past two decades. Today, drones are utilized for a wide range of tasks such as crop monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and medicine delivery.
Drones are versatile tools that can drive economic growth and create jobs. Their applications across multiple sectors can lead to enhanced efficiency and new employment opportunities.
With a robust IT sector, a skilled engineering workforce, and diverse domestic demand, India is poised to emerge as a global drone hub. The country can leverage its strengths to foster innovation and growth within the drone sector.
Drones are capable of conducting high-resolution surveys and mapping, essential for land record creation and accurate volume calculations in mining.
In agriculture, drones enhance productivity by performing tasks such as pesticide and fertilizer spraying, reducing chemical exposure, conserving water, and optimizing crop health monitoring.
Drones can deliver critical medicines and vaccines to remote areas, thereby strengthening healthcare supply chains and improving accessibility.
The use of drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations contributes significantly to border security and internal defense efforts.
Recent global events, including COVID-19 vaccine delivery in Ghana and the deployment of drones in conflicts, underscore the value of drone technology in diverse scenarios.
For India to lead in the drone sector, collaboration among government, industry, and academia is essential, focusing on key interventions to drive progress.
The government can facilitate the growth of the drone industry by creating a supportive business environment, offering financial incentives, and encouraging widespread adoption of drone technology.
The Hon'ble Prime Minister has set a vision for India to become a global drone hub by 2030, highlighting the nation's potential in this area.
The Drone Rules 2021 were introduced to streamline operations, reduce paperwork, and simplify the regulatory landscape for drone usage.
Regulations were updated to remove the necessity of pilot certificates for certain drone categories, making it easier for individuals to operate drones within specified limits.
Indian airspace has been divided into three zones—green, yellow, and red—to facilitate different levels of drone operations, with green zones allowing flights up to 400 feet without permission.
The Drone (Amendment) Rules 2022 eliminated the requirement for a drone pilot license, liberalizing research, design, and testing processes to encourage innovation.
A production-linked scheme was introduced to enhance the manufacturing of drones and their components, providing incentives to attract investments in the sector.
India's incentive scheme stands out due to a high incentive rate, lower value addition thresholds, and specific provisions aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs.
The cap on manufacturer incentives aims to ensure a broader distribution of benefits among participants in the drone manufacturing sector.
Drones are actively used for mapping villages, monitoring highway construction, and conducting surveys for mining projects.
In agriculture, drones assist with delivering subsidies, monitoring forest fires, and detecting illegal activities such as unauthorized liquor manufacturing.
Various state and central agencies deploy drones for surveillance and monitoring border areas, enhancing security measures.
Land Entitlement Records: Drones have surveyed over 190,000 villages under the SVAMITVA scheme, aiding in accurate land entitlement record creation.
Drone Registration: More than 4,200 drones are registered on the DigitalSky platform, indicating growing interest in drone technology.
Skilled Drone Pilots: Over 1,400 drone pilots have been trained by 35 DGCA-approved schools nationwide, contributing to a skilled workforce.
Revenue Growth: The annual revenue of the drone industry has surged from INR 88 crores in FY 2020-21 to INR 319 crores in FY 2021-22.
Investment Outlook: The drone sector is expected to attract over INR 5,000 crores in investments over the next three years, focusing on drone and component manufacturing.
Job Creation: The growth in this sector is projected to create over 10,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs
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