**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has launched several training and capacity-building initiatives, such as the SwaYaan project, to transform the country into a global drone hub and create a skilled workforce for the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sector. As of March 25, 2026, over 32,000 beneficiaries have been trained under SwaYaan, while thousands more have been certified through schemes like PMKVY 4.0 and Namo Drone Didi. These programs aim to meet rising demand across sectors such as defense, agriculture, and logistics through indigenous technology development and standardized pilot certification.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Pilot Training and Certification**
* The DGCA has authorized 251 Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) to impart training and issue Remote Pilot Certificates (RPC).
* A total of 42,412 Remote Pilots have been trained by RPTOs across India.
* Once certified, remote pilots are eligible for employment anywhere in the country.
**Skill Development Schemes**
* **Namo Drone Didi:** Provides 15-day training packages to Self Help Group (SHG) members; 500 members have been certified in drone flying, maintenance, and agricultural applications.
* **PMKVY 4.0:** Focused on industry-aligned short-term courses; 25,791 candidates were trained in drone technology roles by December 31, 2025.
* **Directorate General of Training (DGT):** Introduced "Drone Technician" and "Drone Pilot (Junior)" trades under the Craftsmen Training Scheme, with 1,423 candidates enrolled for the 2023-2025 sessions.
**Academic and Research Initiatives**
* **SwaYaan Project:** Implemented via a hub-and-spoke model involving 30 premier institutions (IITs, NITs, etc.) with dedicated laboratories.
* **Research Themes:** Focuses on five core areas: Drone Electronics, GNC Algorithms, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and Allied UAS Technologies.
* **Academic Programs:** Includes a new M.Tech in UAS at IIT Kanpur, minor degrees, and the National Innovation Challenge (NIDAR), which saw 3,448 student registrations.
* **PUSHPAK Mission:** A consortium of technical institutes (e.g., IIT Bombay, CDAC) working to design and demonstrate indigenous autonomous drone technologies.
**Economic Impact**
* The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones and Drone Components (FY 2021-22 to 2023-24) resulted in the creation of 2,650 jobs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Aspiring Professionals**
**Impact**
They gain access to specialized technical education, certifications, and advanced degrees (M.Tech) that align with industry needs in emerging technologies.
**Action Required**
Enroll in authorized RPTOs or DGT courses to obtain the Remote Pilot Certificate or technician certification required for employment.
**Self Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
Members receive technical training in agricultural drone applications (e.g., pesticide application), promoting rural entrepreneurship and modernization.
**Action Required**
Participate in the 15-day training package and certification process offered under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
**Educational and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
Premier institutions like IITs and NITs are positioned as hubs for drone R&D, receiving resources for dedicated laboratories and indigenous technology development.
**Action Required**
Collaborate within the hub-and-spoke model to conduct research and training across the five specified UAS work themes.
**Drone Industry and Manufacturers**
**Impact**
The sector benefits from a growing pool of certified manpower and financial incentives to boost domestic production and innovation.
**Action Required**
Utilize the PLI scheme for component manufacturing and integrate indigenous technologies developed through missions like PUSHPAK.
Key Entities Referenced
SwaYaan project: A major capacity-building initiative for human resource development in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that focuses on training, education, and research.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0): A national skill development scheme that provides industry-aligned training in emerging technologies, including specialized drone technology job roles.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme: A program designed to empower Self Help Groups (SHGs) by providing drone training and certification for agricultural purposes.
Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO): Entities authorized by the DGCA to impart professional drone training and issue Remote Pilot Certificates (RPC) for legal operation and employment.
PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components: A Production Linked Incentive scheme implemented to promote domestic manufacturing, improve the drone ecosystem, and generate employment.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
More than 32,000 beneficiaries trained under
SwaYaan project for capacity building in
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Government has launched several training programs to build
a skilled workforce in drone operations, maintenance, and
capacity building
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 3:57PM by PIB Delhi
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, India has taken several steps to promote the drone
industry. The aim is to make India a global drone hub and create a robust indigenous ecosystem.
Drones are seeing rising adoption across key sectors like defence, law enforcement, logistics, agriculture,
disaster management, etc. This growth is driving a rising demand for skilled manpower across various
drone-related roles.
Government of India has launched several training initiatives to build a skilled drone workforce. These
programs are designed to cover drone operations, maintenance, and overall capacity building.
These initiatives include Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTOs), Namo drone Didi Scheme,
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) and SwaYaan - Capacity Building for Human
Resource Development in Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone and Related Technology), etc.
Remote Pilot Training:
DGCA has issued Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) authorization to impart training and issue
Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). The authorized remote pilots are free to undertake employment anywhere
in the country on obtaining Remote Pilot Certificate.
Currently, there are 251 authorized RPTOs in India and they have collectively trained 42,412 Remote
Pilots. These include 53 Remote Pilots in Mathura District.
Namo Drone Didi:
Under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, drones are supplied as a package, which includes training for one
member of the Self Help Group (SHG) for 15 days.
The training covers drone flying, provisions of the Drone Rules, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
for nutrient and pesticide application, drone-flying practice for agricultural purposes, and minor repair and
maintenance of drones.
Under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, 500 SHG members have been trained and certified as drone pilots.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0):The PMKVY 4.0 scheme of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) focuses on
providing industry-aligned skill training in emerging technologies including drones through short-term
courses.
As on 31st December 2025, 25,791 candidates have been trained under Drone Technology related Job
Roles under PMKVY; of which 4,731 candidates have been trained in Uttar Pradesh.
SwaYaan – Capacity Building for Human Resource Development in Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(Drone and Related Technology):
Government is implementing SwaYaan project to promote human resource development through capacity
building in education, training, and research in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
It is implemented through a hub-and-spoke model of a network of 30 premier institutions (IITs, NITs,
IIITs, etc.), with dedicated drone laboratories established
Training and research are structured around five core work themes, namely: Drone Electronics; GNC
(Guidance, Navigation & Control) Algorithms; Aeromechanics; Drone Applications; and Allied UAS
Technologies
Focuses on training students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in UAS through programs covering -
a new M.Tech in UAS (at IIT Kanpur), minor degrees, certification courses, bootcamps, and workshops
Promotes research and development (R&D), ideas, innovation, and challenges such as National
Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) organised through Drone Federation
of India to strengthen India’s drone ecosystem
Further details are available at https://swayaan.meity.gov.in/
More than 32,000 beneficiaries have been trained through 900+ activities across multiple program
categories. In the State of Uttar Pradesh, a total of 1,457 beneficiaries have been trained including 75
beneficiaries from Mathura district.
Under NIDAR, pan-India registrations of 3,448 students participated in developing autonomous drone
solutions for real-world challenges in disaster response and precision agriculture.
PUSHPAK- National Mission on Drone Technology-Towards Drone Excellence:
Government started this initiative in consortium mode [with IIT Bombay, CDAC-Thiruvananthapuram,
CDAC-Bengaluru, Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), IIT-Gandhinagar and Kalasalingam
Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Tamil Nadu. The objective of the project is to design,
develop and demonstrate the indigenous technologies for the autonomous drone eco-system.
Directorate General of Training (DGT):
DGT has introduced new age /future skills courses under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to provide
training in emerging areas including Drone Technician. Under CTS, 1423 candidates have been enrolled
under Drone Pilot (Junior) & Drone Technician Trades from Sessions 2023 to 2025.
PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components:
Ministry of Civil Aviation has implemented a PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components (during FY
2021-22 to 2023-24) which has resulted in employment creation of 2650 persons.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
Shri Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha on 25.03.2026.
***MSZ
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