MeitY and Drone Federation of India Launch NIDAR Innovation Challenge for Drone Research

In a bold move to propel India’s drone technology sector forward, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India (DFI), has unveiled the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR). Launched under the ‘SwaYaan’ initiative, the challenge boasts a prize pool of ₹ 40 lakh, along with startup incubation, cloud credits, software support, and internship opportunities for participating student teams.

Driving Drone Innovation for India’s Future

The launch event at Electronics Niketan saw an impressive assembly of government officials, industry leaders, and students — both in person and virtually. S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, officially kickstarted the challenge by revealing the concept video, inaugurating the website and registration portal (https://nidar.org.in), and unveiling the NIDAR Poster and RuleBook.

Krishnan highlighted the enormous potential of drone technology to revolutionize key sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, logistics, healthcare, and infrastructure. He underscored the importance of NIDAR in nurturing innovation and positioning India as a global leader in drone technology by 2030.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, echoed this sentiment, urging engineering colleges across the country to engage with NIDAR. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia, startups, and industries to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced drone technologies.

Challenge Focus Areas

The NIDAR challenge invites students and researchers to tackle pressing real-world problems through autonomous drone solutions, focusing on two pivotal areas:

• Disaster Management (Scout & Deliver Drones) — Development of drones for search, communication, and parcel delivery in disaster-stricken regions.
• Precision Agriculture (Scan & Spray Drones) — Creation of drones capable of monitoring crop health and delivering precise pesticide or nutrient sprays.

With participation expected from over 100 student teams across premier Indian educational institutions, the challenge unfolds in multiple stages, including technology presentations, business case analysis, and final operational demonstrations. This multi-phase format ensures that both technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision are rigorously evaluated.

Building a Stronger Drone Ecosystem

The Drone Federation of India, representing more than 550 drone companies and 5,500 certified drone pilots, will mentor participants and facilitate industry exposure. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the government’s broader strategy to promote entrepreneurship within academia and boost applied research in emerging drone technologies.

By focusing on skill development and practical problem-solving, NIDAR aims to equip students with crucial competencies like technical design, teamwork, project management, and innovation — paving the way for promising careers in cutting-edge tech sectors.

SwaYaan: Cultivating India’s Drone Talent Pool

The SwaYaan initiative, greenlit by MeitY in July 2022, is dedicated to training 42,560 individuals in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology through a network of top-tier institutions, including IISc, IITs, IIITs, NITs, CDAC, and NIELIT. The program’s curriculum spans five core themes: Drone Electronics, GNC Algorithms Simulation, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and Allied UAS Technologies.

So far, over 14,000 students have been trained under SwaYaan, with significant achievements like:

• Launch of an M.Tech program in UAS Engineering at IIT Kanpur
• Introduction of minor degree programs in drone technology
• Hosting of specialized bootcamps and workshops
• Deepened industry collaboration through innovation challenges

The launch of NIDAR represents a pivotal stride toward fortifying India’s drone research landscape. It nurtures a new generation of drone innovators, engineers, and entrepreneurs, reinforcing the country’s commitment to becoming a global drone technology powerhouse.
For more details or to register, visit NIDAR’s official website.