**Summary:**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 4102, answered on August 18, 2025, regarding drone training at ITI Shahpur in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
While the Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), offers two six-month drone-related courses (Drone Technician and Drone Pilot Junior) under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) in 27 ITIs across the country, these specific courses are not offered at Government ITI Shahpur.
However, in March 2022, the Department of Technical Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to conduct a drone-related course at Government ITI Shahpur for three years. As part of this initiative, 161 participants from various departments, organizations, institutions, and colleges have received training in a five-day short-term course titled "Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)".
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The central government ministry responsible for skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives.
ITI Shahpur, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh: Industrial Training Institute located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, which is the subject of the parliamentary question regarding drone training.
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): A scheme implemented by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to provide skills training to youth.
Directorate General of Training (DGT): The organization under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) that implements the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Drone Technician: One of the two drone-related skill training courses offered under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Drone Pilot Junior: One of the two drone-related skill training courses offered under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Department of Technical Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh: The department of the Himachal Pradesh government that signed an MoU with IGRUA to conduct a drone-related course at Government ITI, Shahpur.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA): An autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that partnered with the Department of Technical Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh, to conduct a drone-related course.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION 4102
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
DRONE TRAINING AT ITI SHAHPUR, KANGRA
†4102. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased
to state:
(a) the number of persons imparted drone training so far at the ITI Shahpur in Kangra
district of Himachal Pradesh along with the number of students undergoing the said training
at present;
(b) the duration of the said drone training programme; and
(c) the placement percentage of the said training programme?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), implements the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through
a nationwide network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to skill the youth of the country.
Under CTS, two drone-related skill training courses of six months’ duration each—Drone
Technician and Drone Pilot (Junior)—are currently offered in 27 ITIs across the country.
However, these courses are not offered at Government ITI, Shahpur, located in Kangra
district of Himachal Pradesh.
In March 2022, the Department of Technical Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh,
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran
Akademi (IGRUA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to conduct a
drone-related course at Government ITI, Shahpur, for a period of three years.
Under this initiative, 161 participants from various departments, organizations, institutions,
and colleges received training in a five-day short-term drone-related course, namely
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
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