New Delhi: India’s drone industry has reached a significant milestone, with the total number of registered drones crossing 38,500, highlighting the country’s fast-expanding unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ecosystem.

According to official data from Directorate General of Civil Aviation, nearly 39,890 remote pilots have also been certified, reflecting strong growth in skilled manpower and regulated drone operations across the nation.

Backed by progressive policies from the Government of India, the drone sector is rapidly transitioning from experimental use to large-scale commercial and public deployment, positioning India as a rising global hub for drone innovation.

Strong Regulatory Framework Driving Industry Confidence

Experts say the surge in registrations is driven by simplified regulations, digital approvals, and the creation of over 240 DGCA-approved training organisations, enabling faster onboarding of pilots and operators.

The ecosystem today includes:

Drone manufacturers and hardware suppliers

Software and AI solution providers

Survey and mapping service companies

Agriculture and infrastructure drone operators

Certified pilots and training institutes

Startups and R&D organisations

This unified framework has helped build trust among enterprises while ensuring safety and compliance.

Drones Now Powering Core Sectors of the Economy

Drone technology is being actively used across multiple high-impact sectors:

Agriculture

Precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and yield assessment are improving farm productivity and reducing operational costs.

Infrastructure & Surveying

Drones are supporting large-scale land mapping and infrastructure inspection, including village property surveys under national digitisation programs.

Disaster Management

Rapid aerial assessments during floods and cyclones help authorities respond faster and allocate resources efficiently.

Governance & Public Services

Real-time aerial data is improving transparency, planning, and service delivery at both state and central levels.

Women Empowerment Through Drone Entrepreneurship

A major highlight of India’s drone journey is the growing participation of women. Under national initiatives, over 1,000 drones have been distributed to women Self-Help Groups, enabling them to offer drone-based services such as agricultural spraying and earn sustainable livelihoods.

This inclusive approach is creating a new generation of rural drone entrepreneurs while strengthening grassroots economies.

India Aims for Global Leadership in Drone Technology

With rising registrations, expanding pilot certification, and increasing real-world applications, India’s drone ecosystem is entering a mature growth phase. Continued investments in indigenous manufacturing, AI integration, and skill development are expected to further accelerate adoption.

Industry analysts believe drones will soon become a core component of India’s digital infrastructure supporting smart cities, logistics, defence readiness, agriculture modernisation, and climate resilience.