Summit launches India’s first sector-focused drone cooperative, a Panchayat-level entrepreneurship mission, and 75 Advanced Skill Centres to drive the next phase of India’s drone economy
New Delhi: While India continues to strengthen its healthcare system through increased public investment and expanded infrastructure, a critical gap remains. The country still lacks an adequate number of trained public health professionals capable of preventing, managing, and responding effectively to future health emergencies, says Dr. M. Vishnu Vardhana Rao, Officiating Vice Chancellor of the PHFI Institute of Public Health Sciences (Deemed to be University).
A key highlight of the summit was the launch of three transformative national initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s drone ecosystem through cooperation, entrepreneurship, and skill development. The initiatives align with the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and Viksit Bharat 2047.
The summit launched the Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society Ltd., India’s first sector-focused multi-state cooperative for the drone industry. The Society will unite manufacturers, entrepreneurs, pilots, training institutions, startups, farmers, and service providers to promote collaboration and sustainable growth.
Another major announcement was the National Mission “1 Panchayat – 1 Drone Udyami,” which aims to create 2 lakh drone entrepreneurs across 2 lakh agriculture-based Panchayats over the next five years. The mission will expand drone services at the grassroots while generating employment and improving agricultural productivity.
The organisers also announced the establishment of 75 Advanced Skill Centres in partnership with NSDC. Set up across universities, engineering colleges, polytechnics, and Government ITIs, these centres will provide training in Drone Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Electric Mobility, and other emerging technologies.
The summit was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Shri Tarun Chugh, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Shri Mahipal Dhanda, Shri R.K. Gupta, Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, and Prof. Rajive Kumar, reflecting strong support from government, academia, and the cooperative sector.
The National Drone Technology Exhibition 2026 showcased innovations in agriculture drones, Make in India manufacturing, Drone-as-a-Service, pilot training, AI and GIS solutions, and drone financing. The exhibition attracted participation from government bodies, industry leaders, financial institutions, universities, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs.
A press conference held during the summit outlined the roadmap for the newly launched cooperative, the implementation of the Panchayat-level drone mission, and the rollout of the Advanced Skill Centres. Speakers emphasised collaboration as the key to building a robust and inclusive drone ecosystem.
The successful conclusion of the summit marks a significant step towards creating a cooperative-led, technology-driven drone ecosystem that will strengthen rural livelihoods, create employment opportunities, and contribute to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
