Drone Shakti: Budget was promising but the sector needs much more

The government’s increased focus on the drone sector became clear when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman talked about Drone Shakti, a mission similar to those aimed at conserving water and building infrastructure in the Union Budget this year. It marked another step by the government to make India a drone hub by 2030.

Drone Shakti will be a new integrated office in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to facilitate faster growth, coordination and approvals for drones.

“Startups will be promoted to facilitate ‘Drone Shakti’ through varied applications and for Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS),” Sitharaman said in her speech. She said that the courses required for drone skills will be started in select Industrial Training Institutes in various states.