India, a nation with its sights firmly set on becoming a global superpower, is on the cusp of a technological revolution, one powered by drones. When you hear drones, one thinks of those as being used by photographers in marriages, or maybe the US military when it uses its ‘drones’ to call in airstrikes. Here, we are talking about civilian drones which have rapidly ascended as crucial instruments in India’s developmental trajectory.

The potential, though almost limitless, to truly harness this “sky’s the limit" opportunity, India must navigate a complex landscape of policy, manufacturing, and societal integration.

The rise of civilian drones in India is nothing short of meteoric, spurred by a confluence of factors. Once confined to military applications or niche hobbies, drones are now penetrating diverse sectors of the Indian economy, promising to reshape industries and improve lives. Consider the sheer scale of the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela, a gargantuan spiritual gathering expected to be monitored by an intricate network of AI-powered drones, both aerial and underwater.

The numbers speak volumes. Projections estimate a staggering leap from a modest Rs 600 million turnover in 2020-21 to a colossal Rs 9 billion by 2024-25. It signifies a fundamental shift in how India can operate, innovate, and compete on a global scale. The growth has been fuelled by astute government policy, rapid technological leaps, and a steady and crucial stream of investment.

In a nation still heavily reliant on agriculture, drones offer nothing short of a paradigm shift. Drones equipped with advanced sensors diligently monitor crop health, intelligently optimise irrigation, and precisely apply pesticides with accuracy to avoid waste. These are the characteristics to fundamentally reshape agriculture into a more sustainable practice, drastically minimising environmental impact, and significantly cut wastage costs.

A report by USI points out the growing use of drones for detailed crop assessment and crucial soil health monitoring. Furthermore, groundbreaking schemes like “Namo Drone Didi" and the........

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