Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India (DFI), has launched NIDAR—the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research—under the SwaYaan initiative.
The launch event, held at Electronics Niketan, MeitY, saw the presence of key government officials, industry experts, and students from across the country via video conferencing.
Key Details of NIDAR
- The challenge was inaugurated by S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Prof T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE; and Smit Shah, President, DFI.
- The official NIDAR website (nidar.org.in) was launched alongside the competition’s concept video, poster, and official rulebook.
- The challenge aims to promote innovation in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) sector, in line with India’s vision of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.
Focus Areas and Prize Pool
- The challenge will see participation from 100+ student teams from higher education institutions.
- Teams will develop two types of drones:
- Scout & Delivery Drones for disaster management.
- Scan & Spray Drones for precision agriculture.
- NIDAR offers a total prize pool of ₹40 lakh, along with opportunities for:
- Startup incubation programs
- Cloud credits
- Internship opportunities with top drone companies in India.
Significance of Drones in India
During the event, S. Krishnan emphasized the transformative role of drones in sectors such as:
- Agriculture
- Disaster Management
- Logistics
- Healthcare
- Infrastructure
Smit Shah, President of DFI, highlighted how India’s drone ecosystem is rapidly evolving. He referenced the Vijayawada floods, where drones played a vital role in delivering essential supplies to stranded communities, showcasing their life-saving potential.
Shah also praised the Namo Drone Didi scheme, which empowers rural women entrepreneurs by providing them with drone training and business opportunities, further strengthening India’s drone ecosystem.
“Through NIDAR, we aim to inspire and equip young innovators with the skills, mentorship, and industry exposure necessary to drive the next wave of drone advancements,” said Smit Shah, President, DFI.
This initiative is expected to foster indigenous drone technology development and create a strong talent pipeline for India’s aerospace and defense sectors.