The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with the Drone Federation India (DFI), has announced the launch of the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) as part of the ‘SwaYaan – Capacity Building for Human Resource Development in Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ initiative. The event took place at Electronics Niketan, with participation from government officials, industry experts, and students nationwide via online video conferencing.
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, officially inaugurated the challenge by unveiling the concept video, launching the website and registration portal and releasing the NIDAR Poster and Rule Book. In his speech, Shri Krishnan highlighted the transformative potential of drones in sectors like agriculture, disaster management, logistics, healthcare, and infrastructure, stressing the importance of scaling the NIDAR program to help India realize its goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.
Prof T. G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, emphasized the importance of bringing the NIDAR challenge to engineering colleges across India, encouraging academic institutions, startups, and industries to work together in advancing drone technology.
NIDAR, part of the SwaYaan initiative, seeks to empower India’s student and research communities in the development of autonomous drones designed to address real-world challenges. The project focuses on two critical areas: disaster management and precision agriculture. In disaster management, the initiative aims to deploy autonomous drones for scouting disaster-affected areas, identifying survivors, and delivering essential supplies, thus aiding in faster and more efficient response efforts.
In the realm of precision agriculture, NIDAR envisions the use of autonomous drones to enhance productivity and sustainability in farming. These drones will be equipped for precise crop health monitoring and for the targeted delivery of pesticides and nutrients, optimizing resource use and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. Through these efforts, NIDAR is looking to drive innovation in both sectors while engaging the next generation of researchers and engineers in solving pressing global problems.
The competition offers a total prize pool of INR 40 Lakhs, along with opportunities for startup incubation, cloud credits, software support, and internships with leading drone companies in India. Over 100 student teams from higher education institutions nationwide are expected to participate, presenting innovative solutions to challenges in agriculture and disaster response.
This initiative is part of the Indian government’s broader efforts to foster entrepreneurship in academia and encourage applied research in drone technology. DFI, a prominent industry body with over 550 drone companies and 5,500 drone pilots, will support students with mentorship and industry exposure.
The competition will proceed in multiple phases, including technology presentations, business case presentations, and final operations, ensuring a thorough evaluation of students’ technical and entrepreneurial skills.
The event also saw the participation of prominent industry leaders, alongside students and professors from technical institutions. Over 100 student teams from across India are expected to take part in building two autonomous drones aimed at solving image-based detection and autonomous delivery challenges.
The launch of NIDAR is a significant step in fostering talent and promoting research in India’s rapidly evolving drone sector. The competition is designed to enhance participants’ technical skills, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and project management, preparing them for impactful careers in emerging technologies.
The SwaYaan initiative, approved by MeitY in July 2022, focuses on developing human resources in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including drones and related technologies. The program aims to train 42,560 participants through a combination of formal and informal educational programs to build a skilled workforce in drone technology. The initiative operates through a hub-and-spoke model, involving 30 prestigious institutions such as IISc, IITs, IIITs, NITs, CDAC, and NIELIT.
The project covers five key areas: Drone Electronics, GNC Algorithms Simulation, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and Allied UAS Technologies. To date, over 14,000 individuals have received training. Key milestones include the launch of an M.Tech. in UAS Engineering at IIT Kanpur, the initiation of various minor degree programs, and the successful organization of numerous bootcamps and workshops. SwaYaan fosters collaboration with industry partners through innovation challenges and industry meetups, ensuring that academic training is closely linked to real-world drone applications.
