From revolutionizing agriculture with precision farming to enabling accurate land surveys in rural areas, government drone schemes in India are driving a surge in innovation and economic growth. As of 2025, the Indian drone market is projected to reach USD 1.39 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 24.4%, fueled by supportive policies, subsidies, and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and Namo Drone Didi. These programs not only promote “Make in India” drones but also address key challenges in agriculture, disaster management and defense.
The government’s push for drone technology aligns with broader goals of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and digital transformation. Trending keywords such as “drone subsidies 2025,” “agriculture drones India,” and “UAV regulations in India” reflect the growing interest among farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors. With schemes offering up to 80% subsidies on drone purchases and free training, India is positioning itself as a global drone hub.
This blog post delves into the key government drone schemes in India, their objectives, implementation, benefits and future outlook, providing a comprehensive guide for stakeholders interested in this booming sector.
Whether you’re a farmer exploring “agriculture drone prices India 2025” or a startup eyeing “drone manufacturing under PLI scheme,” understanding these initiatives is crucial. Let’s explore how these schemes are transforming India’s drone ecosystem.
The Evolution of Drone Policies in India: From Regulations to Revolution
India’s journey with drones began with stringent regulations to ensure safety and security, but it has evolved into a supportive framework encouraging widespread adoption. The Drone Rules 2021, liberalized further in 2023 and updated in 2025, simplified certification processes, reduced compliance burdens, and introduced categories for nano, micro, small, medium and large drones. These rules mandate remote pilot certificates and integrate drones into airspace via the Digital Sky platform, making operations seamless for commercial users.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation oversees these regulations, emphasizing indigenous manufacturing through the PLI scheme. In Budget 2025, a ₹57 crore allocation was made to the PLI for drones, highlighting the government’s commitment. This builds on earlier initiatives like the ban on importing fully assembled drones in 2022, pushing for local production. Trending searches for “drone industry India 2025” show a focus on market growth, with projections estimating over $13 billion by 2030.
Government schemes have also integrated drones into sectors like agriculture, where “Kisan Drone Yojana” and subsidies under SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) provide financial aid. In defense, programs like Drone Shakti promote UAVs for surveillance and logistics. These policies have created jobs, with estimates suggesting millions in opportunities by 2030, and fostered startups in the “drone tech startup landscape.”
A key milestone was the launch of SVAMITVA in 2020, using drones for rural land mapping, which has digitized over 10 crore parcels by 2025. This evolution reflects a shift from regulatory caution to proactive empowerment, aligning with global trends in UAV technology.
Key Government Drone Schemes in India: A Detailed Overview
India’s government has rolled out multiple drone schemes targeting diverse sectors. Below, we break down the major ones, incorporating trending keywords like “Namo Drone Didi eligibility” and “PLI scheme for drone components.”
SVAMITVA Scheme: Drone-Powered Rural Land Ownership
SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme, launched in 2020 and extended to 2025-26, uses high-resolution drone surveys to map rural inhabited (abadi) areas and issue property cards. Implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with state governments and Survey of India, it aims to provide legal ownership records, reducing disputes and enabling financial access.
By December 2025, drone surveys are completed in over 3.18 lakh villages, with 2.42 crore property cards distributed. The scheme has digitized 10.84 crore parcels and established 1,018 CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations) for accurate mapping. Benefits include easier bank loans, better tax assessment, and support for disaster management through GIS data.
Eligibility covers residents in notified villages, with no cost to villagers. The process involves drone imaging, draft map display, objection resolution, and card issuance via state portals. In 2025, SVAMITVA was showcased at the World Bank Land Conference, highlighting its role in climate action and rural planning.
This scheme empowers women, with 89% of properties in some regions co-owned by them, tying into broader gender initiatives.
Namo Drone Didi: Empowering Women Through Drone Technology
Announced in 2023 and fully operational in 2025, the Namo Drone Didi Scheme provides drones to 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for agricultural use, with a ₹1,261 crore budget. It offers 80% subsidy (up to ₹8 lakh) on drone costs and free training, turning women into “Drone Didis” for rental services in farming.
Objectives include financial inclusion, skill development, and modernizing agriculture. Eligible SHGs must be under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM, with women aged 18-45 prioritized. The scheme integrates with Lakhpati Didi, aiming to create two crore women millionaires.
In 2025, it has trained thousands, boosting rural incomes by 20-30% through services like pesticide spraying. States like Haryana provide additional support, including free pilot training.
This initiative aligns with “women empowerment in drones,” creating jobs and reducing chemical exposure for farmers.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones and Components
Launched in 2021 with ₹120 crore and boosted in 2025 with ₹57 crore, the PLI Scheme incentivizes domestic drone manufacturing. Administered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, it offers 20% incentives on value addition for three years, targeting startups and MSMEs.
Eligibility requires Indian companies with annual sales up to ₹2 crore for drones and ₹50 lakh for components. By 2025, it has approved 23 manufacturers, fostering an ecosystem for “Make in India drones.” The scheme covers hardware like frames, propellers, and software, promoting exports.
Impact includes job creation (over 10,000 direct jobs) and innovation in sectors like logistics and surveillance. Trending terms like “drone stocks in India” highlight companies like Ideaforge and Zen Technologies benefiting from this.
This scheme is pivotal for India’s ambition to become a drone export leader.
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Kisan Drone Scheme
Under the Ministry of Agriculture, SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) provides 40-50% subsidies on agriculture drones for farmers, FPOs, and CHCs. In 2025, it covers drone prices ranging from ₹4-10 lakh, with higher aid for women and SC/ST groups.
Kisan Drone Scheme, integrated into SMAM, promotes drones for crop assessment, spraying, and soil analysis. Farmers can avail 50-75% subsidies, with 100% funding for demonstrations.
These schemes address “agriculture drone prices India 2025,” making tech affordable and increasing yields by 20-30% through precision application.
| Scheme | Subsidy Percentage | Eligible Groups | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAM | 40-50% (up to 75% for women/SC/ST) | Farmers, FPOs, CHCs | Mechanization, including drones |
| Kisan Drone | 50-75% | Individual farmers | Crop monitoring and spraying |
| Namo Drone Didi | 80% (up to ₹8 lakh) | Women SHGs | Rental services in agriculture |
This table compares subsidies, highlighting accessibility.
Other Notable Schemes: Drone Shakti and Defense Initiatives
Drone Shakti focuses on defense applications, promoting indigenous UAVs for surveillance. In 2025, it integrates with iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), funding startups for military drones.
GST reforms have reduced rates on drone components to 5%, fueling innovation.
Benefits and Impact of Government Drone Schemes
These schemes offer multifaceted benefits. In agriculture, drones reduce water usage by 90% in spraying and cut costs by 20-30%, boosting productivity amid climate challenges. Rural areas benefit from SVAMITVA’s dispute resolution, unlocking ₹100 lakh crore in economic potential.
Economically, the drone sector creates jobs in manufacturing, piloting, and services. Women empowerment via Namo Drone Didi fosters financial independence, with SHGs earning ₹1-2 lakh annually from rentals.
Environmentally, precision drones minimize chemical runoff. In disaster management, UAVs aid quick assessments. Overall, these initiatives contribute to India’s GDP growth, with the sector expected to add billions by 2030.
A timeline table illustrates progress:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2020 | SVAMITVA Launch |
| 2021 | Drone Rules & PLI Scheme |
| 2023 | Namo Drone Didi Announcement |
| 2025 | ₹57 crore PLI Allocation; 3.18 lakh Villages Surveyed |
Impact metrics: 2.42 crore property cards, thousands trained as Drone Didis.
Challenges and Future Trends in India’s Drone Ecosystem
Despite progress, challenges persist: High initial costs, skill gaps, and regulatory hurdles in urban areas. Battery life and data privacy concerns also loom. Future trends include AI-integrated drones, blockchain for supply chains and 5G-enabled swarms.
By 2030, trends like “future trends in UAV drone technology” predict border surveillance and urban mobility dominance. Government plans universal SVAMITVA coverage and expanded PLI to counter these.
Stakeholders must invest in training and R&D to overcome barriers.
Conclusion: Soaring Towards a Drone-Powered India
Government drone schemes in India are catalyzing a technological revolution, from rural empowerment to industrial growth. With schemes like SVAMITVA, Namo Drone Didi, and PLI, India is set to lead globally. As “drone technology in India” trends upward, these initiatives promise sustainable development and innovation.
FAQs On Government Drone Schemes in India
Q.1- What are the major government drone schemes in India in 2025?
Ans- The key schemes include SVAMITVA Scheme (for rural land mapping), Namo Drone Didi (empowering women SHGs with drones for agriculture), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme (for domestic drone manufacturing), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) including Kisan Drone subsidies, and Drone Shakti (promoting drone startups and services).
Q.2- What is the Namo Drone Didi scheme?
Ans- Namo Drone Didi is a central sector scheme launched to provide drones to 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for agricultural services like fertilizer and pesticide spraying, with an outlay of ₹1,261 crore from 2024-25 to 2025-26, aiming to generate additional income of at least ₹1 lakh per year per SHG.
Q.3- Who is eligible for Namo Drone Didi scheme?
Ans- Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), preferably with members aged 18-45, selected based on area demand for drone services.
Q.4- What subsidy is provided under Namo Drone Didi?
Ans- The scheme offers 80% subsidy on the cost of drone (up to ₹8 lakh), with the remaining 20% coverable through loans from Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) at 3% interest subvention; training is free.
Q.5- What is the SVAMITVA scheme and how does it use drones?
Ans- SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) uses high-resolution drone surveys to map rural inhabited areas and issue legal property cards to owners, reducing disputes and enabling financial access.
Q.6- How much progress has been made in SVAMITVA scheme as of 2025?
Ans- Drone surveys are completed in over 3.20 lakh villages, with more than 2.42 crore property cards distributed across various states and UTs.
Q.7- What is the subsidy on agriculture drones for farmers in India 2025?
Ans- Under SMAM and Kisan Drone initiatives, individual farmers get 40-50% subsidy (higher for women/SC/ST), while FPOs, cooperatives, and SHGs can get up to 75-100% subsidy, capped at ₹10 lakh in some cases.
Q.8- What is the PLI scheme for drones?
Ans- The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drones and components provides 20% incentive on incremental sales/value addition for three years, with a total outlay including boosts in 2025, to promote domestic manufacturing and Make in India.
Q.9- How to apply for drone subsidy in India?
Ans- Applications are submitted through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal of the Ministry of Agriculture (farmech.dac.gov.in) or state agriculture departments; required documents include Aadhaar, land records, bank details, and quote from empaneled manufacturers.
Q.10- Is drone pilot training provided under government schemes?
Ans- Yes, schemes like Namo Drone Didi and SMAM/Kisan Drone offer free or subsidized 15-day training (including 5 days for pilot certification) at DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs).
Q.11- Can individual farmers buy drones with government subsidy?
Ans- Yes, individual farmers are eligible under SMAM for 40-50% subsidy on agriculture drones, with higher rates for women, SC/ST, and small/marginal farmers; drones must be from approved manufacturers.
Q.12- What are the benefits of using drones in agriculture in India?
Ans- Drones enable precision spraying (reducing chemical use by 20-90%), crop monitoring, soil analysis, faster operations, lower labor costs, higher yields, and sustainable farming practices.
For more on “government drone schemes in India 2025,” explore official portals.
Share your thoughts: Have drones impacted your community?