India’s Drone Industry Has Taken Off Like Never Before

Drones were once seen as little more than futuristic gadgets or high-tech toys.

Today, they are reshaping industries, creating jobs, and driving innovation in India.

The drone market in India is reaching new heights.

Valued at $654 million in 2024, it is expected to more than double to $1.43 billion by 2029, growing at a staggering 17% annually.

In the same period, the number of drones in India will grow from 10,803 units to over 61,000.

Behind this explosive growth is a thriving ecosystem of innovators and businesses.

More than 200 drone startups have emerged, raising over $140 million since 2014.

Today, there are already 13,000 registered drones in the country.

The government has stepped in with policies designed to accelerate growth, ensuring that the industry is ready to scale.

A key factor behind this expansion is India’s push for self-reliance.

The government has restricted the import of foreign drones to promote local manufacturing.

It has also designated 90% of Indian airspace as “green zones,” allowing drones to operate freely up to 400 feet.

This simplifies drone operations across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and surveillance, enabling wider adoption across industries.

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has allocated ₹120 crores to drone manufacturers, offering 20% incentives on value addition.

The Drone Shakti initiative is further boosting innovation, encouraging businesses to develop drone-as-a-service (DrAAS) solutions.

With these strong policy measures in place, Indian companies are emerging as key players in the drone industry.

IdeaForge Technology dominates the unmanned aerial systems market with a 50% share.

Paras Defence, valued at ₹3,911 crore, reported a net profit of ₹300 million in FY24.

Info Edge has made significant strategic investments in drone technology, with a net profit of ₹5,946 million.

Droneacharya, with a market cap of ₹252 crore, focuses on pilot training and drone-related services.

These companies are defining the future of India’s drone ecosystem and setting the stage for global competitiveness.

As drones become more accessible, their applications are expanding across industries.

In agriculture, they are being used for precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and improving access to challenging terrain.

In logistics, they are enhancing last-mile delivery, disaster response, and inventory management.

In healthcare, they are transporting medicines, blood samples, and critical supplies to remote locations.

The media and entertainment industry is also leveraging drone technology for aerial cinematography and live event coverage, bringing new perspectives to storytelling.

Despite this progress, there are still challenges to overcome. The shortage of skilled professionals is slowing the adoption of drone technology.

Trained operators, maintenance personnel, and data analysts are in high demand, but the talent pool remains limited.

Data security is another pressing concern.

Drones collect vast amounts of sensitive information related to individuals, infrastructure, and operations.

Without robust encryption and secure storage, this data remains at risk of breaches.

Addressing these issues will be critical for ensuring the long-term success of India’s drone industry.

The next few years will be crucial in shaping the future of drones in India.

As regulations evolve, drones will find new applications in daily life. They will reshape industries and create new possibilities for businesses.

The industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace, changing how technology is used in agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and beyond.

From industries to everyday life, drones are steadily reshaping how India works.

With the right push, they will go from an innovation to a necessity in the country’s growth story.