**Executive Summary**
The Government has approved the ‘Namo Drone Didi' Central Sector Scheme to provide drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have distributed 1094 drones to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24 using their internal resources, including 500 drones distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. The drone didis provided with the drones have been trained as drone pilots. Annexure-I indicates the state-wise distribution of drones to SHGs by the LFCs as of January 2026 and the members of SHGs given drone pilot training.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Namo Drone Didi Scheme:**
* Approved as a Central Sector Scheme.
* Aims to provide drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
* Allocated an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
* **Drone Distribution:**
* LFCs distributed 1094 drones to SHGs in 2023-24 using internal resources.
* 500 of these drones were distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
* **Pilot Training:**
* Drone didis provided with drones have been trained as drone pilots.
* Training conducted at Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) authorized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
* **Study on Drone Operations:**
* ADRTC, Bangalore, conducted a study on the economics and business viability of drone operations on 500 drones under the Namo Drone Didi scheme.
* Drones have expanded SHGs niche to modern agricultural practices, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
* Drones have diversified SHG activities, improved agricultural practices, and increased income opportunities for women in rural communities.
* **State-wise Data (as of January 2026):**
* Annexure-I provides state-wise data on drones distributed by LFCs and SHG members trained as drone pilots.
* Total: 1094 drones were distributed across 22 states.
* **Information Source:**
* Information provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur.
**Impact Analysis**
**Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)**
* **Impact:** Will receive drones to enhance agricultural practices and income opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the drones for agricultural activities and undergo drone pilot training.
**Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for distributing drones to SHGs.
* **Action Required:** Continue distribution of drones to SHGs and support drone pilot training.
**Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bangalore**
* **Impact:** Was contracted to study the impact of drone distribution.
* **Action Required:** None stated in the document.
Key Entities Referenced
Namo Drone Didi Scheme: Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs): Target beneficiaries of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, receiving drones and training as drone pilots.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Government body responsible for the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Authority that authorizes Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) for drone pilots.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Distribution of Agricultural Drones under Namo
Drone Didi Scheme
Posted On: 13 FEB 2026 6:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ as Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-
26. As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs)
have distributed 1094 drones to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24 using their internal resources. Out of
these 1094 drones distributed, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. The
drone didis provided with the drones have been trained as drone pilots at various Remote Pilot Training
Organizations (RPTOs) authorized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The State-wise
number of drones distributed to SHGs by the LFCs as on January 2026 and the members of SHGs given
drone pilot training is indicated in Annexure-I.
Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bangalore have carried out a study
on economics and business viability of drone operations on these 500 drones provided by LFCs under
Namo Drone Didi scheme. The study indicates that the SHGs earlier were primarily engaged in agriculture
and allied activities and the drones provided to them has expanded their niche to modern agricultural
practices through drone technology, enhancing their efficiency and productivity. Overall, the adoption of
drones has diversified SHG activities, improved agricultural practices, and increased income opportunities
for women in rural communities.
Annexure-I
State-wise number of drones distributed to SHGs by the LFCs as on January 2026 and the members
of SHGs given drone pilot training
S. No State Name No. of SHGs provided with the Drones by LFCs &
No. of members of Women SHGs trained as drone
pilot
1. Andhra Pradesh 108
2. Assam 28
3. Bihar 32
4. Chhattisgarh 15
5. Goa 16. Gujarat 58
7. Haryana 102
8. Himachal Pradesh 4
9. J&K 2
10. Jharkhand 15
11. Karnataka 145
12. Kerala 51
13. Madhya Pradesh 89
14. Maharashtra 60
15. Odisha 16
16. Punjab 57
17. Rajasthan 40
18 Tamil Nadu 44
19. Telangana 81
20. Uttar Pradesh 128
21. Uttarakhand 3
22. West Bengal 15
Total 1094
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath
Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
******
RC/PU/1602
(Release ID: 2227743) Visitor Counter : 179
Read this release in: Urdu