India's Drone Industry; Its Challenges and Future Opportunities

An Exclusive Interview with Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace

What inspired the inception of the company, and what has been the journey so far?

I am Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace. This company was born in 2015 from my vision to make drone technology accessible and affordable for everyone. I was inspired by the immense potential of drones to revolutionize agriculture, improve efficiency, and address pressing societal challenges. Recognizing the need for cost-effective and innovative solutions in India’s vast agricultural sector, we initially focused on building reliable drones for precision farming, assisting farmers with critical tasks such as crop spraying, land surveys, soil health analysis, and yield prediction. As a national-level swimmer, my relentless drive to push boundaries and strive for excellence has been deeply ingrained in Garuda Aerospace’s DNA. Our journey has been a testament to continuous growth, expansion, and a commitment to innovation. From an ambitious startup to a leading drone technology company, we have successfully diversified into industrial inspection, defense, logistics, disaster management, and smart city planning.

One of our key milestones has been securing significant government contracts, including partnerships with agencies such as ISRO, DRDO, NDRF, and various state governments, demonstrating the trust and credibility we have built in the industry. We have also established state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives to boost indigenous drone production. Additionally, we have heavily invested in building a robust network of skilled drone pilots and technicians, ensuring the rapid adoption of drone technology across various sectors. We take immense pride in our contributions to disaster relief efforts, where our drones have been deployed for flood monitoring, search-and-rescue operations, and post-disaster assessments. Our defense applications include border surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical drone support for security forces.

Beyond India, Garuda Aerospace has expanded its operations into international markets, collaborating with global organizations and governments to deploy drones for humanitarian aid, precision agriculture, and smart infrastructure projects. Our long-term vision is to position India as a global hub for drone innovation, creating cutting-edge, AI-powered drone solutions that drive efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth. The journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding, and we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of drone technology to create meaningful impact on a global scale.”

Your drones are being widely used for agricultural and defense purposes. What new sectors or applications are you exploring?

While agriculture and defense remain core to our work, Garuda Aerospace is actively expanding into new sectors where drone technology can drive innovation and efficiency. We are developing last-mile logistics solutions for medical supply transport, vaccine delivery, and e-commerce, ensuring faster access to essential goods in remote areas. Our drones are enhancing critical infrastructure inspections for power lines, pipelines, oil refineries, and telecom towers, using thermal imaging and AI-driven analytics to improve safety and efficiency. In mining, we are optimizing surveying, mapping, and environmental monitoring for accurate resource estimation. Additionally, our advanced surveillance drones are supporting law enforcement, border security, search and rescue operations, and disaster relief efforts by providing real-time reconnaissance and emergency response. We are also enabling smart city planning with high-resolution urban mapping, 3D modeling, and construction monitoring. A key focus is on AI-powered drone solutions, integrating IoT, machine learning, and real-time data processing to generate actionable insights across industries. With advancements in swarm drone technology, high-endurance UAVs, and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, we are setting new benchmarks in drone innovation. Expanding globally, we are collaborating with international partners to deploy drones for precision agriculture, industrial automation, and humanitarian missions, reinforcing our vision to make drone technology more intelligent, autonomous, and accessible for a wide range of industries.

The drone industry in India is rapidly expanding. What key trends do you foresee in the next 5 years?

The Indian drone industry is poised for exponential growth, driven by supportive government policies, increased private sector investments, and rapid technological advancements. Over the next five years, we will witness a significant rise in the adoption of Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), making drones more accessible and affordable across industries such as agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, and surveillance. Autonomous flight and AI-powered analytics will advance rapidly, enabling drones to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention. The integration of AI, machine learning, and computer vision will enhance real-time decision-making, while 5G connectivity and cloud computing will further improve drone operations, allowing seamless data processing and remote control.

India is also set to emerge as a global drone manufacturing hub, thanks to government incentives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and an increasing number of homegrown startups. This will reduce dependence on imports and drive indigenous innovation. The demand for skilled drone pilots and technicians will surge, leading to the establishment of more training academies and certification programs. Another key trend will be the expansion of urban air mobility (UAM) and cargo drones, paving the way for drone taxis and large-scale aerial deliveries. Additionally, the government’s liberalization of regulations and the introduction of structured policies for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations will further accelerate industry growth.

Beyond commercial applications, drones will play a crucial role in defense, disaster management, and surveillance, with significant government investments in indigenous drone technology for national security. In healthcare, drone-based medical deliveries, including the transportation of vaccines, organs, and emergency supplies, will become more prevalent, particularly in rural and remote areas. Overall, the Indian drone industry is set to revolutionize multiple sectors, creating new opportunities, boosting employment, and positioning India as a global leader in drone technology and innovation.

With regulations around drone operations evolving, what challenges do drone companies face in India, and how can the government support this sector?

While the government has made significant strides in liberalizing drone regulations, the industry still faces several challenges that must be addressed to unlock its full potential. One of the primary hurdles is navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, as frequent policy changes can create uncertainty for businesses and investors. While the Digital Sky platform and the liberalized Drone Rules of 2021 have been positive steps, there is still a need for greater clarity and consistency in approvals, especially for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and autonomous drone applications.

Another critical challenge is the lack of dedicated drone infrastructure. Large-scale drone operations require well-defined drone corridors, charging stations, and air traffic management systems to ensure safe and efficient integration into national airspace. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled drone pilots, technicians, and AI specialists, highlighting the need for robust training programs and certification standards. Public concerns around safety, data security, and privacy also need to be addressed through awareness campaigns and transparent regulatory frameworks. Access to funding remains a significant barrier, particularly for startups and small businesses looking to scale their operations. Many drone companies struggle to secure venture capital or government grants due to the high initial investment required for R&D and compliance. The government can play a crucial role by offering financial incentives such as subsidies, tax breaks, and easier access to credit for drone startups.

To further accelerate industry growth, the government should focus on streamlining regulatory processes by introducing a single-window clearance system to simplify approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays. Investments in infrastructure, including dedicated drone testing zones, drone corridors for long-range operations, and integration with 5G connectivity for real-time data transfer, will be crucial. Promoting skill development programs in collaboration with educational institutions and industry players can help bridge the talent gap. Additionally, fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) will encourage innovation and local manufacturing, positioning India as a global leader in drone technology. The government’s recent emphasis on “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in drone manufacturing should be extended to cover AI-driven drone applications, deep-tech solutions, and export incentives for Indian drone companies looking to expand globally. By addressing these challenges and implementing strategic support mechanisms, India can create a thriving drone ecosystem that contributes to economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement across multiple sectors, from agriculture and logistics to defense and urban mobility.”

Drone technology is transforming industries like agriculture, logistics, and surveillance. Which sector do you believe will witness the maximum impact in the coming years?

While logistics and surveillance are important, I believe agriculture will witness the maximum impact from drone technology in the coming years. India’s vast agricultural sector, which employs nearly 60% of the population and contributes significantly to the economy, is in urgent need of modernization to enhance productivity and sustainability. Drones offer transformative solutions for key challenges such as crop monitoring, precision spraying, soil health assessment, and pest control. With the government’s push for smart farming through initiatives like the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Kisan Drones, the adoption of drone technology in agriculture is accelerating.

The expansive rural landscape provides an ideal environment for large-scale drone operations, especially for tasks such as automated seeding, fertilizer application, and real-time crop health analysis using AI-powered imaging. The relative ease of implementing drones in agriculture, compared to densely populated urban environments, makes this sector a prime candidate for widespread adoption. By optimizing resource usage, reducing dependency on manual labor, and enabling real-time decision-making, drones can help farmers increase yields, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact through targeted interventions. Additionally, with climate change and erratic weather patterns affecting crop output, drones can play a crucial role in precision agriculture by helping farmers mitigate risks, monitor soil moisture levels, and predict yields more accurately. The integration of drones with IoT, AI, and big data analytics will further enhance their impact, making Indian agriculture more data-driven and resilient. While other sectors, such as logistics and surveillance, are growing rapidly, the sheer scale and importance of agriculture in India—combined with strong policy support, increasing farmer awareness, and the affordability of drone technology—make it the sector with the highest potential impact. As drone adoption continues to rise, India’s agriculture sector could experience a paradigm shift, driving efficiency, sustainability, and long-term food security.