India to become global drone hub: Scindia

Hyderabad: India is all set to become a drone hub of the world, says Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, while speaking to the media on the sidelines of Wings India 2024 in Hyderabad on Thursday. Indian companies and global joint ventures are working seriously and the government has come forward to support the drones sector’s rapid growth trajectory.

Scindia said: “Not only by putting in place Drone Policy and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drones and drone components, the Union government is helping this sector by creating demand through 15 ministries doing their tasks using drones. To promote the manufacturing of drones, the government is giving incentives to the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) and startups.”

Speaking about another Central Sector Scheme, Scindia said: “The Union government is providing drones to the women Self-Help Groups with an outlay of Rs1,261 crore. They will be trained as drone pilots free of cost. Training started for the first batch. A subsidy of 80 per cent will be provided on the cost of drones to them under this scheme. Insurance will be offered completely on subsidised basis.”