SWAYAAN’ INITIATIVE - SCHEME
NEWS: MeitY and Drone Federation India launched NIDAR, a National Innovation Challenge for drone applications and research, under the ‘SwaYaan’ initiative for HR development in unmanned aircraft systems.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Approval and Purpose
• The SwaYaan Initiative was approved by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in July 2022.
• It focuses on building human resource capacity for the development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including drones and related technologies.
Target and Implementation
• The initiative aims to train 42,560 participants through a combination of formal and non-formal programs.
• It follows a Hub-and-Spoke Model, involving 30 premium institutions, including Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), and National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT).
• The training focuses on key themes, such as Drone Electronics, GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Algorithm Simulation, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and Allied UAS Technologies.
Achievements of the SwaYaan Initiative
• Over 14,000 beneficiaries have been trained under various programs.
• IIT Kanpur has launched an M.Tech program in UAS Engineering, further strengthening academic opportunities in drone technology.
• Several minor degree programs, bootcamps, and workshops have been conducted to provide hands-on learning experiences.
• Industry engagement has been enhanced through innovation challenges, industry meets, and collaborations with key stakeholders.
National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR)
• NIDAR was launched by MeitY in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India (DFI) as a part of the SwaYaan Initiative.
• The primary objective is to encourage students and researchers to develop autonomous drones capable of addressing real-world challenges.
• The challenge focuses on two critical domains:
1. Disaster Management – Scout & Deliver Drones
These drones are designed for survivor identification, communication assistance, and parcel delivery in disaster-affected areas.
2. Precision Agriculture – Scan & Spray Drones
These drones help in crop health monitoring and precise delivery of pesticides and nutrients, improving agricultural efficiency.
Use of Drones and Related Policies in India
Government Initiatives Utilizing Drones
• SVAMITVA Scheme
• Drones are used for village mapping, aiding in the creation of accurate land entitlement records.
• National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)
• Drones are employed to monitor construction progress on new highways and ensure project efficiency.
• Mining Sector Regulations
• It is mandatory for all mining sites larger than 50 hectares or with an annual excavation of over 1 million tonnes to conduct drone-based surveys.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Provides a subsidy of INR 10 lakh for the purchase of agricultural drones to encourage their adoption.
• Agricultural institutes conduct demonstrations of Kisan drones to showcase their benefits in farming.
• State Government Initiatives
• Jharkhand: Drones are used for forest fire monitoring and tracking wild elephants to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
• Bihar: Law enforcement authorities use drones to detect illegal liquor manufacturing units in remote areas.
• Defense Sector
• The Indian Army deploys drones for surveillance and reconnaissance in high-altitude border regions to enhance national security.
Drone Regulations in India
Key Drone Policies
• National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines (2019)
• Issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, this document provides guidelines for assessing and countering potential drone threats.
• Drone Rules 2021
• Classifies Indian airspace into three zones based on the acceptability of drone operations:
Green Zone: Drones can operate freely.
Yellow Zone: Requires special permission from aviation authorities.
Red Zone: Restricted areas where drone operations are prohibited, except with special approval from the Central Government.
Global News on Drone Applications
• Australia – Scientists use drones to collect whale mucus from water sprays to study whale health and disease patterns.
• Ghana – Drones have successfully delivered over 1 million COVID-19 vaccines to remote and inaccessible areas.
• NASA's Ingenuity Drone on Mars – The Ingenuity drone became the first aircraft to achieve powered flight on another planet, marking a major milestone in space exploration.
• Volcano Monitoring – Drones are deployed to study active volcanoes by capturing thermal imagery and gas emissions, helping scientists predict eruptions.
Source: https://ddnews.gov.in/en/meity-and-drone-federation-india-launch-nidar-challenge-for-drone-innovation/