Latest News & Announcements

Aviation Training Aircraft Flying

IndiGo Chaos Exposes Cracks in India's Aviation Monopoly

IndiGo has plunged the country's skies into turmoil, cancelling over 2,100 flights since December 1 and stranding many passengers. The collapse started quietly but intensified rapidly. On December 5 alone, IndiGo axed over 1,000 flights over half of its daily schedule, plunging its on-time performance to a dismal 8.5%. Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai have become scenes of desperation, with harassed travellers sleeping on the floor, clashing with security, and venting fury on social media. By Sunday, another 650 flights were grounded; however, the airline vowed stabilization by December 10. At the heart of the debacle are stringent new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules enforced by the DGCA, aimed at ensuring that pilots and crew receive acceptable rest for safety. Weekly rest periods were extended from 36 to 48 hours and daily flying was capped at 8 hours. Night landings were slashed from six to two per week. Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO, credited the chaos to a "system reboot" and external factors such as weather and tech glitches, promising refunds and a return to normality between December 10 and 15. But critics, including the Airlines Pilots Association of India, decry it as a deliberate ploy: mass cancellations to pressure regulators into rollbacks. On December 5, the government obliged, granting IndiGo a one-time exemption until February 10, allowing layovers to count toward rest and relaxing night-duty curbs, a move slammed as prioritizing profits over passenger safety. A Viral Critique: From Anti-Corruption Protests to Corporate Cronyism? The crisis has boosted online discourse, with popular YouTuber and commentator Dhruv Rathee's latest video, widely shared on X by activist Jennifer Fernandes, framing it as the bitter fruit of unchecked monopolies during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure. In the nearly three-minute clip, viewed more than 4,000 times since Saturday, Rathee juxtaposes footage of irate crowds at terminals with clips of the 2011 Jantar Mantar anti-corruption protests, once led by a young Modi. "From Jantar Mantar’s scripted 'anti-corruption' theatrics to Modi’s full-blown monopoly model, the arc is complete," Fernandes captioned the post, echoing Rathee's narrative. The video details how IndiGo's 65% market share, alongside Air India's 30%, has crushed competition, recalling a vibrant era of carriers like Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and Kingfisher. Opposition Fires Salvos: "Ease of Doing Business or Cronyism?" The DGCA has issued show-cause notices to Elbers and COO Isidro Porqueras, demanding explanations within 24 hours. IndiGo's board, meanwhile, activated a crisis management group led by Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta. The government capped fares on unaffected routes and deployed extra trains to ease the backlog, but stranded passengers like those at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport continue to seethe. As IndiGo scrambles to hire crew and refund tickets, orders that must be completed by Monday, the episode underscores deeper woes in India's aviation boom: a near-oligopoly in which one carrier's stumble grounds a nation. For Fernandes and Rathee, it's a stark reminder that the "ensuing tragedy witnessed by us all in real time" isn't just logistical; it's a fallout of power consolidated in a few hands. With operations limping toward recovery, the question lingers: Will this "first blood" from electoral bond ghosts force real reform, or just more exemptions?   Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 09 Dec 2025

Drone Products Drone Production

Varanasi Police Deploy New-Generation Drones for Kashi Tamil Sangamam Security

The Varanasi district police have stepped up surveillance for the ongoing fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam by deploying an advanced fleet of new-generation drones. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Varanasi Commissionerate Saravanan Thangamani, a dedicated 10-member drone team is ensuring the safety and protection of the people visiting the venue. "We are using new-generation drones. Last year, there was drone use, but it was minimal. We are using the three types of drones, which are mini drones, micro drones and nano drones," Mr Thangamani told the  PTI . Highlighting the role of the drone fleet, Mr Thangamani said the Mini Drone is unique as it can be self-charged, allowing round-the-clock operations unlike other battery-dependent models. "This drone can run 24x7 and ensure constant surveillance in a region," Mr Thangamani explained. On the 'Macro Drone', the official said it is capable of monitoring a vast 2 km area. "It can cover a larger area and will be used in the jungle behind the NaMo Ghat (multi-level riverfront development on the Ganges in Varanasi)," said Mr Thangamani, who is also the Nodal Officer for the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event. NaMo Ghat is the site where Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 was inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on December 2. The third kind of drone is 'Nano Drones', which can collect images of suspicious activity. Citing an example, Mr Thangamani said if a car is parked in an area for an unusually long time, this drone scans the vehicle and shares the image with the police. "Based on the images it shares, we take action." He also noted that the surveillance data from the three drones is immediately shared with senior police officials for necessary action. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 2025

Drone Products Drone Training

JSW Setting up USD 90 Million Military Drone Plant in Hyderabad

The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with an investment of about Rs. 850 crores at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with $90 million investment at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It has entered into a strategic partnership with the US-based defence technology firm Shield AI to manufacture Shield AI’s Group 3 unmanned aerial system under a long-term licensing arrangement for technology transfer. A fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platform, V-BAT, is currently deployed by multiple armed forces globally, including the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Units. The manufacturing, at the facility of JSW Defence, is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026, JSW Group said after the foundation stone laying ceremony in which IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, JSW Group’s Parth Jindal and others participated. The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with an investment of about Rs. 850 crores at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based defence technology firm Shield AI to manufacture the latter’s Group 3 unmanned aerial system under a long-term licensing arrangement for technology transfer. A fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) platform, V-BAT, is currently deployed by multiple armed forces globally, including the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Units. The manufacturing, at the facility of JSW Defence, is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026, JSW Group said after the foundation stone laying ceremony in which IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, JSW Group’s Parth Jindal and others participated. The investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT. The effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub, the Group said. Project Will Create over 300 High-Value jobs. The facility is spread over 16 acres and will have a capacity to manufacture 300 V-BAT drones annually. It will house production, repair, testing, administrative, and support infrastructure. This project will create over 300 high-value jobs, the Minister’s office said. “From manufacturing the globally renowned V-BAT at scale, the facility will lay the foundation for an integrated, end-to-end UAS ecosystem, from advanced manufacturing to operator training, manufacturing repair and operations (MRO) and sustained innovation. This project stands among the most significant defence technology transfers to India,” Mr Jindal said. On the Group’s defence ventures, he said the drone manufacturing project follows the JSW Gecko Motors joint venture, with a Ukrainian company, to make special mobility vehicles in Chandigarh. The facility was commissioned about 18 months ago and supplied nearly 200 vehicles to the Indian Army and the United Nations. In the same facility, JSW has another JV with an American firm to manufacture off-road vehicles. Total Rs 1,200 Crore investment The Group will invest a total of Rs. 1,200 crores in defence ventures, including Rs. 320 crores for technology transfer from Shield. He said India Armed Forces were evaluating the UAS from a localization perspective. The initial order is for importing eight UAS through the emergency procurement route, which is directly catered for by Shield AI. The larger orders will be placed once the facility is up, he said. Telangana Aims to be a Defence Hub The IT and Industries Minister said Telangana is working towards positioning itself as a strategic defence hub of India by developing a strong ecosystem for unmanned systems and advanced defence manufacturing. The State government is preparing a comprehensive roadmap to transform Telangana into a global leader in defence innovation, with a special focus on unmanned aerial systems, drone technologies and aerospace manufacturing. There are plans to establish a drone manufacturing and testing corridor to boost indigenous defence capabilities, Mr Sridhar Babu said. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 2025

Drone Training Drone Pilot

Russia Deepens Ties with India, Seeks Joint Drone Production – ISW

The Kremlin is increasingly relying on India to compensate for its labour shortage and also wants New Delhi to support the production of drones that Russia seeks to use in the war, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The head of the Russian state defence conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said on December 5 that Russia is in talks with India to localize the production of Russian drones, including the Lancet, in India. The day before, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said in an interview with India Today that Russia not only sells weapons to India but also transfers technologies for shipbuilding, rocket production, and the aviation sector. The dictator claims that India is using Russian Su-57 fighter jets and is producing T-90 tanks and jointly developed BrahMos missiles on its territory. Analysts note that such statements by Putin and the head of Rostec indicate that Moscow may be considering expanding cooperation with India to include joint drone production. Russia is likely planning to use these drones in its war against Ukraine, possibly in exchange for transferring new Russian technologies and combat experience to India. It is also known that a delegation from the Smolensk FPV Drone Piloting Centre has arrived in India to carry out tasks within the framework of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership. On December 5, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said that Russia can accept an "unlimited number" of labour migrants from India under a new bilateral labour mobility agreement signed that day in New Delhi. According to Manturov, the Russian industrial sector is short 800,000 workers, and the trade, construction, and services sectors are short 1.5 million workers. The deputy prime minister said it will take Russia more than a year to create the conditions needed to receive, employ, and process the documents of Indian migrants. At the same time, the head of the occupation authorities in the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, said on December 6 that possible cooperation with Indian partners was discussed at a recent international investment forum in Moscow. Saldo claims that the occupation authorities are ready to attract Indian labour migrants to “strengthen the region’s agricultural industry” and are prepared to cooperate with Indian partners to integrate the occupied Kherson region into “international trade corridors.” Russia–India cooperation As a reminder, India has faced economic and trade losses due to its cooperation with Russia, predominantly in the milieu of Russia’s war against Ukraine and sanctions pressure from the US and the EU. Because of its close ties with Russia, the US in 2025 raised tariffs on most Indian goods to 50 per cent, including “additional” tariffs linked to purchases of Russian energy resources and weapons. This has negatively affected Indian manufacturers who target the American market. For this reason, in December 2025, India plans to reduce exports of Russian oil to the lowest level in the past three years. Earlier, RBC-Ukraine stated that Indian energy giant Reliance Industries totally stopped imports of Russian oil on November 20. As an alternative, the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries acquired millions of barrels of oil from Middle Eastern nations and the US after American sanctions were imposed on two Russian producers. In addition, the media reported that India plans to discuss purchasing Russian fighter jets and missile defence systems during a visit by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. It is also known that India will lease a nuclear attack submarine from Russia for 10 years. The deal is worth 2 billion dollars. Source: RBC Ukraine

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 2025

Defence Drones Drone Pilot

Indian Armed Forces to Procure More Satellite-Linked Heron Mk II UAVs Under Emergency Procurement

To improve their unmanned capabilities in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have signed contracts for additional satellite-linked Heron Mk II drones under emergency procurement, sources in the Israeli defence industry said. As stated by the sources, the Army and Air Force, which by now operate Heron Mk II drones, have placed further orders, while the Indian Navy is obtaining them for the first time. The Navy will soon transition to the more cutting-edge Heron Mk II platform. According to existing guidelines, under emergency procurement, the armed forces can obtain weapons systems and entire systems worth up to INR 300 crore. To improve their unmanned capabilities in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have signed contracts for supplementary satellite-linked Heron Mk II drones under emergency procurement, sources in the Israeli defence industry said. According to sources, the Army and Air Force, which already operate Heron Mk II drones, have placed additional orders, while the Indian Navy is acquiring them for the first time. The Navy, which has long depended on Israeli-made Searcher UAVs for surveillance, will soon transition to the more cutting-edge Heron Mk II platform. According to existing guidelines, under emergency procurement, armed forces can obtain weapons systems worth up to INR 300 crore. A senior Israeli defence official informed that drones have become an integral part of contemporary warfare, with about 70% of battlefield operations conducted by drones. They play a significant role in countering air defence systems, allowing the detection, tracking and neutralization of high-value threats. The Heron family, particularly the Heron Mk II, is a key component of this evolving combat environment due to its versatility and proven reliability. The Indian Army has positioned these drones at forward bases in the northern sector. The Heron Mk II is a MALE UAV capable of carrying a payload of close to half a tonne and sustaining over 24 hours of continuous flight. With Synthetic Aperture Radar, electro-optical systems and SIGINT sensors, the platform offers comprehensive ISR capabilities in challenging weather conditions. Its fully automated take-off and landing systems, in addition to encrypted satellite communication, allow remote operations, flexible mission planning and disposition across varied theatres without ground-based line-of-sight control. In line with India’s push for defence indigenization, numerous Israeli defence industries, including state-owned defence manufacturers, are working with defence PSUs and private partners to improve local production. The companies are also making training, maintenance and integration competencies within India, the official said. Israeli manufacturers are preparing for future Indian tenders under the “Make in India” framework and discovering deeper partnerships to meet compliance requirements. In September this year, the defence ministry issued a Request for Proposal for a major acquisition of 87 MALE drones, with an emphasis on an indigenous “Make in India” programme that also consents foreign partnerships. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 02 Dec 2025

Drone Flying Drone Pilot

India’s 900-km Loitering UAV to Fly on Homegrown Wankel Engines, Reducing Foreign Reliance

India is planning to develop cutting-edge long-range drones and 150-kilogram class loitering munitions powered by indigenous Wankel rotary engines, strengthening its strategic drive toward self-reliance in defence technologies. The initiative will reduce the need for foreign suppliers of propulsion systems. This segment is a bottleneck in India’s drone ecosystem, despite key progress in domestic airframe, software and weapons development. The first system to appear from this effort is a 150-kilogram loitering munition-drone hybrid platform, tentatively named ‘Loitering Munition-UAV’. Early specifications specify a standoff strike range of about 900 kilometres and an in-air time of about 9 hours per mission. If validated in trials, the platform would fall into the long-loiter category, providing deep-reach precision-strike capability, extended surveillance, target tracking and instantaneous engagement flexibility. The CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories will partner with a private company to advance and manufacture long-range drones, marking a shift toward deeper industry participation in strategic drone programmes. The partnership signals a move away from largely PSU-led prototypes to a model combining a state-backed R&D strength with private-sector speed, scale and production capability. Wankel rotary engines are a favoured power source for small- and medium-sized drones worldwide because of their compact size, high power-to-weight ratio, low vibration signature and mechanical simplicity compared to traditional piston engines. India’s decision to localize this technology is significant because these engines power many imported loitering systems at present in use or under assessment by the country. Indigenizing the propulsion stack ensures that future Indian unmanned platforms can operate with sovereign supply-chain security, resist geopolitical leverage and integrate more seamlessly with classified mission systems. This would benefit defence PSUs and startups alike by lowering development costs, shortening iteration cycles, and enabling deeper integration with domestically developed strike, navigation and sensor packages. It may also unlock India's export potential in the unmanned-propulsion market, mainly amongst countries seeking non-Western supply alternatives. The headline range figure of 900 kilometers will also depend on aerodynamic efficiency, flight profile optimization, and fuel tank design, making full-scale validation during flight trials essential. The strategic value of the programme lies not only in the 150-kilogram strike platform itself, but in providing a domestic propulsion system that future drone families could inherit. Once flight-tested and production-qualified, the Wankel engine could expand into maritime-surveillance UAVs, swarm-drone nodes and potentially heavier rotary-powered loitering or cruise-type platforms. For now, the announcement carries significant signaling; India is committing to indigenous propulsion in the long-range unmanned-strike segment. The next milestones that will shape market and military confidence will be prototype flight trials, thermal-performance benchmarks, real-world endurance validation and the decision to transition the programme into scaled production.   Source: Indian Express

Saheel Singh 02 Dec 2025

Aircraft Flying Aircraft Pilot

India Plans More Incentives for Aircraft Leasing in GIFT City

India will extend the tax holiday on profits earned by aircraft leasing firms in its state-of-the-art finance hub to 15 years, said people familiar with the matter, to gain a larger share of the global leasing market, which Ireland presently dominates. Plane leasing companies based in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) currently obtain a 10-year tax waiver. Expanding this benefit by 5 years will make GIFT City more attractive to lessors, who make the bulk of their profits in the latter years, when there’s little depreciation charge, the people said. They did not want to be identified because the discussions are private. Profit is much lower,1% or so, throughout the early years of a plane leasing cycle, but it surges to as much as 40% in the later years, the people added. As of January, 33 aircraft lessors were registered in GIFT City, and over 60 aircraft and engines have been leased through them. 31, as stated by a KPMG report. The policy change, part of India’s budget proposals announced in February, is an effort to help the imminent finance hub gain market share in the USD 187 billion global aircraft leasing business. Competition is aggressive, with around half of the world’s leased aircraft currently managed from Ireland, and China, Singapore, and Malaysia all vying for a larger share of the market. India’s commercial aircraft leasing market was about USD 4.7 billion in 2023 and will grow at an annual rate of 11.8%. India’s aviation ministry and the PIB did not instantly respond to emails seeking a comment on the plan to extend the tax benefits. Pet Project The move to lure more aircraft lessors to GIFT City follows its recent success in enticing global financial institutions, such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. and HSBC Holdings Plc, with a heap of tax incentives. The two-decades-in-the-making pet project of PM Narendra Modi, GIFT City, is India’s attempt to challenge financial centres, for example, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai. The proposed tax holiday extension, if implemented, would benefit the aircraft leasing firms of the largest local carriers, IndiGo’s InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Pvt. and Air India’s AI Fleet Services IFSC Ltd. A spokesperson for Akasa Air said the smaller budget carrier has also applied for endorsements to set up a leasing entity in the low-tax hub. India’s policy change will also benefit subsidiaries of global companies. Rolls-Royce’s RRPF Engine Leasing (India) IFSC Pvt., CRJ Aviation Leasing (IFSC) Pvt. and Willis Lease Finance India IFSC Pvt. are amongst those registered at GIFT City, as stated by a regulatory website. Source: Economic Times

Saheel Singh 01 Dec 2025

Drone Flying Drone Pilot

India's First Fully Mobile, AI-Enabled Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle Launched

In a substantial upgrade to India's border defence strategy, Indrajaal Drone Defence on 26 November 2025 announced the launch of the 'Indrajaal Ranger', the nation's first Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle. This innovative, fully mobile, AI-enabled counter-drone system will detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones while they are actively in motion, addressing a critical national security vulnerability. The 'Ranger' is a combat vehicle intended to break away from traditional, stationary anti-drone solutions. Its core competence lies in delivering on-the-move drone detection, instantaneous patrolling and instantaneous interception- a requirement driven by the growing sophistication of cross-border threats. The company's insistence to develop the ADPV was heightened by recent national security incidents that highlighted drones as a key channel for illegal activity. Incidents involving ISI-linked weapon smuggling deep into Indian territory and the reliable neutralization of hundreds of Pakistani drones this year, serving as the main transport for India's massive Rs 3-lakh-crore drug-trafficking network, made the requirement for a fast, mobile response undeniable. Speaking at the launch, Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, praised the innovation. "India's youth deserve a safer nation, free from the shadow of international crime networks," said Lt Gen. Pandey. "Technologies like the Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle are not just machines; they are shields protecting our children, our farmers and our future. With this new Ranger launch, India and the brave men guarding our borders will be truly grateful for such a transformative contribution." The Indrajaal Ranger will deliver a transformative layer of national security. By cutting off logistical supply routes and monetary channels for criminal operations, it weakens recruitment pipelines of smuggling and extremist networks, reinstating a sense of safety and dignity to vulnerable border communities. Indrajaal is an autonomous counter-UAS and air-defence technology company. Its proprietary autonomy engine, SkyOS, fuses multi-sensor intelligence and instantaneous decision-making into a unified C5ISRT framework.  This lets the company create dynamic "security domes" that protect intricate environments, such as airports, refineries, and military formations, at unprecedented scale. The company has already achieved operational success and is well-positioned for national-level rollouts, having obtained ARDTC certification for the disposition of Counter-UAS systems. Source: NDTV

Saheel Singh 28 Nov 2025

Aircraft Pilot Aircraft Flying

DGCA Stiffens Fatigue Rules, Mandates Airlines to Train Roster Planners and File Quarterly Reports

DGCA mandates flight fatigue management training for schedulers and dispatchers who prepare rosters for pilots and seeks to strengthen measures to address persistent fatigue concerns among cockpit crews. Also, the DGCA, in a circular dated November 20, has directed airlines to submit quarterly fatigue reports, comprising the number of crew trained in fatigue management and the number of fatigue reports received, accepted or rejected. The airlines should also state the reasons for rejecting any fatigue reports. IndiGo and Air India had initially opposed the implementation of the new norms. The second phase, with some relaxations, of the revised norms came into force from November 1. "The fatigue off should be no less than 24 hours and include one local night and must have a fatigue risk management policy, an education and awareness training program, a fatigue reporting system, a system for monitoring flight crew fatigue and an incident reporting process. As stated in the circular, an audit was conducted of all scheduled operators to evaluate the implementation of the first phase of the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation) norms from July, and it was found that the operators were uncertain of the scope of Annual Fatigue Training to be implemented. The annual fatigue training would be defined in the operations manual and would have at least 1 hour of training scheduled during the Annual Ground Training for operators. "The training might be combined with schedulers, dispatch staff and all personnel responsible for the implementation of various provisions of this Civil Aviation Requirement. The fatigue training should be conducted by trained staff and should comprise its effect on the flight crew and measures to mitigate crew fatigue," the circular said. Airlines will issue a fatigue reporting policy as a circular to all stakeholders, the DGCA said, adding that the operators should have an independent Fatigue Review Committee that will analyze and recommend measures to ease fatigue. Source: Economic Times

Saheel Singh 28 Nov 2025

Aircraft Flying Aircraft Pilot

Safran to Triple its India Ops Revenue to Over €3 Billion by 2030

Safaran, a France-based aerospace and defence group, is planning to triple its revenue in India to more than 3 billion euros by 2030, its CEO said. It will multiply its sourcing in the country by five. "Safran will triple its revenue in India to more than 3 billion euros by 2030, of which our sites in India will generate half. Simultaneously, Safran will multiply by five its sourcing in the country," group CEO Olivier Andriès said. The company inaugurated its largest MRO centre for LEAP engines in Hyderabad and announced two defence investments to support the country's Rafale program. The LEAP engines power Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, two of the most prevalent aircraft in the global aviation industry. Safran has ramped up its Indian associations across both defence and civil aerospace, with several pacts signed with private and government-owned entities. The CEO Andriès said, "The two new MRO centers in Hyderabad dedicated to the LEAP and M88 engines and our new joint venture with BEL underscore India’s importance to our Group. We’re proud to support the fast growth of India’s civil and defence aerospace markets and contribute to India’s Make in India policy and strategic autonomy." The new LEAP engine MRO centre signifies a total investment of €200 million and will be operational in 2026. The 45,000-square-meter facility aims to ramp up to 300 LEAP shop visits a year and to boast a next-gen test bench. It will support the fast growth of the CFM International LEAP fleet, which powers most of the latest-generation narrowbody aircraft. India is CFM’s third-largest market, with 5 Indian carriers operating over 400 LEAP-powered aircraft and 2,000 engines on order, Safran said. The new site will have more than 250 people at launch and up to 1,100 at full capacity. In Safran's new MRO shop dedicated to the M88 engine, the company will power Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets in India. The M88 engine facility is also situated in Hyderabad, adjacent to the LEAP engine centre. With a €40 million investment, the facility will provide MRO services for over 600 engine modules a year and will employ up to 150 people at full capacity. This defence MRO facility is said to prioritize engines on aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, while it will also perform MRO for other M88 export customers. India recently ordered 26 Rafale M naval variants and already operates 36 Rafale and 47 Mirage 2000 fighters. On November 24, Safran signed a Joint Venture and Cooperation Agreement with Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture Safran Electronics & Defense’s “Hammer” modular air-to-surface weapon. It can be integrated with multiple aircraft types, including the Rafale and the Indian Army’s single-seat HAL Tejas. Safran CEO Andriès also flagged two other investments announced in February 2025, totaling more than €30 million. This includes an engineering centre in Bangalore specializing in avionics and actuators, now operational and having about 250 employees. Another project is an electronics and actuation manufacturing capacity in Bangalore with 400 employees, starting operations in 2026. Source: Economic Times

Saheel Singh 28 Nov 2025

Drone Products Drone Training

India to Install Anti-Drone Systems at All Airports Due to Rising Security Concerns

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security have decided to install anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports across India. The decision was taken in a high-level joint meeting and comes in the wake of increasing security risks and the likelihood of future war-like situations, senior officials said on Sunday. The government’s decision has been influenced by the experience gained during Operation Sindoor, following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed. After the attack, India and Pakistan were involved in a tense military exchange. Indian forces carried out strikes on terrorist bases inside Pakistan and Pakistani drones were flying over Indian territory, several of which were shot down by India’s defence systems. These events highlighted how drones are being used as tools in contemporary warfare and how they pose risks to civilian areas, including airports. While the lasting plan is to cover all airports, officials said the project will be implemented in phases. In the first phase, anti-drone systems will be installed at Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar airports. These sites were chosen because they have faced higher security threats and were directly involved in the military escalation. First time anti-drone tech will be used at purely civilian airports This is the first time India will position anti-drone systems at airports handling only civilian passenger traffic. Until now, such systems were primarily used by defence and border security agencies. The systems will help detect, track and neutralize any rogue drone entering airport airspace, a significant step as drones have become effective tools in new-age conflict. The MHA is leading the project, while BCAS has formed a committee to handle planning and execution. This committee includes representatives from: • Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) • Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) • Airport security and technical experts • Other relevant stakeholders The government is at present reviewing the technical specifications of the anti-drone equipment. Once confirmed, the MHA will coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and direct airport operators to connect systems that meet national security requirements. The government is also studying anti-drone models already in use at key airports abroad to accept the most effective technology. Deadlines for installations at various airports will be set after the specifications are approved. Source: mathrubhumi.com

Saheel Singh 27 Nov 2025

Drone Technology Drone Pilot

Andhra Pradesh Launches India's First Drone City with Aerpace

The Andhra Pradesh government has inked a strategic partnership with Aerpace Industries to launch what is being billed as India's first 'Drone City' in the Orvakal region, near Kurnool. The project spans roughly 300 acres, chosen for its proximity to Kurnool airport and its feasible connectivity to a growing high-tech expansion corridor. As stated by the announcement, the site will be a complete ecosystem for drone manufacturing, component research, pilot training and testing infrastructure. Aerpace Industries, which brings experience in defence drones, heavy-lift platforms, logistics drones, and AI-enabled systems, has been in discussion with the Andhra Pradesh government through its financial development board for some time. The discussions covered technical assessments, design planning and capability demonstrations. With this partnership now formalized, Aerpace intends to set up a full-scale campus within the Drone City for the production of both civilian and defence drones, support component development, and conduct pilot training. Besides manufacturing, the initiative will have an integrated pipeline of certification and regulatory compliance mechanisms, as well as research into next-generation autonomous platforms, energy systems and improved operational reliability. The training programmes will build a skilled workforce of drone pilots and technicians, thus creating employment prospects and strengthening the regional human capital base in the unmanned systems sector. Drone City line up with Andhra Pradesh's broader objectives of developing innovation, attracting cutting-edge investments and positioning the state as a hub for the aerospace and pioneering mobility sectors. Building domestic capacity in drone manufacturing and related technologies will help the state reduce its dependence on imports and improve homegrown competitiveness in logistics, emergency response, defence and industrial operations . The site selection, Kurnool, and Orvakal seem strategic, allowing rapid testing and deployment in a bounded space without the constraints of an urbanized setting. This partnership is a bold step by the Andhra Pradesh government into the fast-emerging unmanned aviation technologies. By leveraging Aerpace's domain expertise and making a dedicated physical ecosystem, the state is betting on drones as an important axis of future growth, employment and technological leadership. Source: Silicon India

Saheel Singh 27 Nov 2025

Drone Products Drone Training

NIT-C Students Develop Autonomous Drone for Disaster-Relief Operations

Formed in August, the 15-member team will design a compact aerial system capable of assisting rescue agencies during floods, landslides and other climate-induced emergencies, said a release. The project received vital technical and financial backing from Kokos.AI, whose R&D team worked closely with the students to ensure technological precision and a unified implementation. The group, known as Team Paravai, presented the drone at the SAE Aerothon 2025 in Chennai. Weighing 2 kg, the drone has a frame constructed from 3D-printed PA12 and a carbon fiber composite, providing durability and reduced weight. The quadcopter features several features tailored for practical rescue scenarios. The aircraft supports communication over a 1-km range and can stream live video. A LIDAR-based collision-avoidance system helps navigation in complex terrain, while sensors detect human presence up to 15 metres away. The drone can also transport aid packages of up to 200 grams with high drop precision. Its fully autonomous control system decreases the requirement for continuous operator involvement during hazardous operations, the release said. NIT Calicut officials defined the project as a substantial step towards enhancing technology-driven disaster management. Team Paravai will expand the drone’s endurance and incorporate cutting-edge payload capabilities. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 26 Nov 2025

Aircraft Flying Aviation Training

Air India to Induct 26 New Planes in 2026

Air India Group expects 2026 to be the most visible phase of its ongoing overhaul, even as its overall capacity will remain mostly unchanged next year due to concurrent inductions of new aircraft and retirements of older ones. CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said the airline will add 26 aircraft in 2026, six wide-bodies and 20 narrow-bodies, but the net fleet count will stay moderately flat as leased Boeing 777s are returned. Three 777s owned by the airline are retired, and a substantial portion of the fleet remains grounded for retrofits. A stronger surge in capacity is expected in 2027–28 as bulk aircraft deliveries commence. “The number of aircraft in 2026 starts and ends the same, but they are different aircraft. The net growth will really come from the following years,” Wilson said. What did Wilson Say? Wilson, speaking at his first media conference since the June 12 Dreamliner crash, said the programme to upgrade the wide-body fleet will define Air India's 2026. The first two refurbished Boeing 787-8 aircraft will return to service in February, after which 2 to 3 aircraft will be upgraded every month. By the end of 2026, about 66% of the 787 fleet will have new interiors, in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi and premium seats, with full completion targeted for mid-2027. Overall, the airline will operate about 81% of its international flights with upgraded aircraft by the end of next year. Narrow-body refurbishment is nearing completion, with 83% of the fleet already upgraded. Seventeen legacy narrow-bodies that were earlier planned for retirement will now be retained to offset delays in Airbus and Boeing deliveries. Aircraft from Vistara, which merged with Air India in November 2024, will start accepting Air India livery and interior branding this month. Despite the transformation schedule, global supply-chain pressures will weigh on deliveries. Wilson said Air India should have received 28 brand-new aircraft from its total 570-aircraft order by now, but only “white tail” aircraft, originally manufactured for other customers, have been transported so far. The CEO, though, stressed that the investment plan remains intact even in the face of recent setbacks, such as the fatal AI 171 crash and softer US travel demand driven by visa delays, airspace constraints and longer flying times. Wilson said passengers will notice the most substantial improvement in 2026 across products and operations, including advanced wide-bodies, refreshed narrow-bodies, expanded training and upkeep infrastructure and a uniform customer experience across the merged airline. The Maharaja loyalty programme is being extended across the group, allowing recognition and rewards across all Air India entities. Wilson on Ahmedabad crash Wilson said that 95% families affected by the June 12 Ahmedabad air crash have received interim relief. “About 70 families have also received ex gratia payments from the AI 171 Trust, with another 50 in process. We will reach out to all affected families, as Air India and Tata Sons, to provide whatever support they may require,” he said. Source: Financial Express

Saheel Singh 26 Nov 2025

Drone Pilot Drone Products

What’s New in the Proposed Drone Bill 2025?

In September 2025, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation unveiled a Draft Civil Drone Bill, 2025 and the drone industry’s reaction was immediate and visceral. Rather than applause for a long-pending, dedicated drone law, the proposal triggered swift and significant reaction from startups, tech associations and even hobby clubs. Critics argued that the new bill marked a step backwards from the liberal approach that had pushed India’s drone boom since 2021.   Why are Drones So important? The drone sector matters because it can touch many areas, from food production to public safety to healthcare to national security. It’s why India is working on making a booming drone ecosystem and why China is building a low-altitude economy. Before 2021, drones existed in a legal purgatory. The few operators who tried to navigate the system faced 25 forms, 72 fee types and a permission process so opaque that most gave up. The government saw drones as potential security threats, but not much else. Then came the Drone Rules of 2021. The government had become more open to trying out how drones could be configured for the national economy. Now, drones can be used for many purposes and can be of various types, but the rules categorized them and introduced a tiered system based on one simple metric: weight. Nano drones were exempt from registration entirely. This registration gives each drone a “unique registration number”. Hobbyists could also fly micro drones (250g-2kg) without a pilot license. The impact was instant. While drone startups multiplied, the DGCA approved 116 training schools, minting over 16,000 certified pilots. The 120-crore PLI scheme attracted manufacturers, and an import ban on finished drones forced global players to assemble in India. In three years, India went from a drone desert to one of the largest drone markets in the world. The Plot Twist of 2025 In contrast to the 2021 framework, the 2025 bill, while claiming to be more relaxed, is more restrictive. Industry stakeholders have highlighted several problems with it. Universal Registration : Under the new bill, even a small toy drone must be registered before it can be sold. This shifts compliance upstream to manufacturers, who build registration into every product. The toy drone market, worth crores and a gateway for young engineers and students, might shrink as a result. Mandatory Pilot Licensing for Everyone : A person flying a micro-drone would need a Remote Pilot Certificate, just as the self-help group working under the Namo Drone Didi scheme would. For potential entrepreneurs who plan to fly their own drones for testing, this is a letdown. Type Certification Before Manufacturing : No drone can be manufactured, assembled, sold, or operated without DGCA certification. You can’t even build a prototype to test. Criminal Penalties for Paperwork Errors : Flying an unregistered drone is a cognizable offence.   One can be arrested and have one's drone seized without a warrant. Under the 2021 rules, such violations were subject to administrative fines. Universalinsurance : Every operator must have third-party insurance covering 2.5 lakh for death and 1 lakh for injury, on a no-fault basis. For a researcher or a rural SHG operating on a limited budget, this is a tall ask. It seems like the new bill puts a price on innovation, rather than regulating with balance. Why This Matters Beyond Drones The controversy reveals a deeper tension in India’s economic policy. Since 2014, the government has supported “ease of doing business” and “Make in India.” The 2021 drone rules were advancing both those goals. The 2025 bill, though, represents a reversal of that. The US Federal Aviation Administration frees recreational flyers from licensing. The EU’s Open Category requires a simple online test for low-risk drones. China also lets hobbyists fly without pilot certificates. India’s draft bill would make it an outlier. The economic stakes are huge. Agriculture alone seems to need thousands of drones for the Kharif season. The defence sector is building an indigenous drone arsenal worth thousands of crores. Logistics companies are betting on drones that could revolutionize e-commerce delivery. All this needs a pipeline of innovators students tinkering in labs, startups repeating in green zones, SHGs learning by doing. In March 2021, the government notified the UAS Rules, 2021, a predecessor to the existing draft that was so restrictive it was dead on arrival. Industry pushed back so fiercely that within months, the government scrapped it and replaced it with the liberalized Drone Rules we have today. The 2025 draft has faced near-universal criticism. NASSCOM has called for withdrawing the bill entirely. The consultation period, which was set at just two weeks, has been extended. Industry bodies are pushing for precise amendments: restoring R&D exemptions, decriminalizing minor violations, creating a classified penalty system and so on. There is a possibility that the bill will either be heavily revised or, like its 2021 predecessor, quietly shelved. The Ministry of Civil Aviation comprehends that India’s drone dream cannot survive if the very people building it are treated as criminals. This sets a precedent for how India controls emerging technologies, and we’ll be asking this question a lot more as AI and humanoids rise. The 2021 rules showed what happens when regulators trust citizens: innovation explodes and India becomes competitive. The 2025 bill shows what happens when fear trumps that trust. This new bill straddles the old line between regulation and innovation. The question is whether we require regulation that pre-emptively protects us from a future that doesn’t exist or regulation that lets us build it. Source: www.civilaviation.gov.in

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

Drone Products Drone Training

ideaForge Wins USD11M Indian Military Drone Deal

India’s military has placed a key new order for IdeaForge’s latest unmanned systems after putting them through demanding trials in electronic-warfare conditions. IdeaForge confirmed that it will supply its next-generation Zolt tactical drone and the SWITCH 2 vertical-takeoff UAV under a capital emergency procurement worth roughly 1 billion rupees, according to a report by the Economic Times. Zolt accounted for about 750 million rupees of the order, following field assessments that tested its performance in high-altitude and heavily jammed environments. SWITCH 2, already in service with the army, received a follow-on order valued at 300 million rupees. Rather than being a routine replenishment, the deal seems tied to India’s broader effort to harden its ISR and precision-delivery capabilities along contested borders. Zolt’s design reflects that shift as the platform is built for long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and can carry precision payloads. IndiaForge’s Other Deals with India IdeaForge has progressively expanded its footprint across India’s defence and security ecosystem over the past several years. In June 2025, the company secured an emergency order from the government worth 1.37 billion rupees for mini unmanned aerial vehicles. The deal will see ideaForge deliver fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing drones within 12 months. Apart from the military, government agencies, such as the National Disaster Response Force, state police units and infrastructure authorities, have adopted ideaForge drones for tasks ranging from mapping and search-and-rescue to monitoring critical assets.   Source: The Defense Post

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

Drone Products Drone Training

NIT Rourkela Develops Autonomous AI-powered Land Mapping Drone System

NIT Rourkela has developed Bhu Manachitra, an autonomous instantaneous land-mapping drone system. The innovation integrates AI and UAV technology to produce land maps without requiring internet connectivity, external computers or manual intervention. The research team has advanced a deep learning model allowing the drone to recognize land features in real time. Different from conventional drones that take images for later processing, BHU-Manachitra completes all analysis on board, making it autonomous and appropriate for remote, disaster-hit regions and areas lacking communication networks. Speaking about the development, Sambit Bakshi, Associate Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, said, “The invented methodology makes use of a lightweight AI model with 2.48 million parameters, which makes Bhu Manachitra suitable for on-board processing in drones. Drones, being intended lightweight for long flight time, cannot carry heavy dedicated hardware for instantaneous image processing, but can carry a tiny processor for executing this lightweight AI model that performs land mapping.” The technology will support multiple sectors. Government agencies can deploy it for land record modernization, urban planning and smart-city development. Agriculture departments can use it to evaluate crop conditions, soil health and irrigation needs, aiding productivity and sustainability. Throughout natural disasters, the system can offer instant terrain intelligence, enabling faster and more effective response planning. Environmental and forest departments can also use it to track deforestation, encroachments and changes in biodiversity. NIT Rourkela and IIT Patna Vishlesan I-Hub Foundation have jointly secured an Indian patent for the technology. TIH IIT Patna sponsored the research under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.   Source : Economic Times

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

Drone Technology Drone Training

India’s First ‘Sky Factory’ Will Build 1,000 Electric Air Taxis a year in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will build India’s first “giga-scale” electric air taxi manufacturing cluster in Anantapur, with Karnataka-based Sarla Aviation committing an investment of INR 1,300 crore. The partnership was announced on 18 th November 2025, following the signing of an MoU by Sarla Aviation and the Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd at the CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam. The development follows Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s new announcement that the state will begin producing drone taxis in two years. At the centre of the plan is the upcoming “Sky Factory”, which Sarla says will rank amongst the world’s largest facilities for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In the first phase, the company will invest 330 crores to set up a 150-acre manufacturing and testing campus at Thimmasamduram village in Kalyanadurg mandal. The site will have production lines, R&D labs, composite units and a dedicated 2-km runway for testing and certification. A second phase will increase the facility by another 350 acres. Once fully operational, the Sky Factory will produce up to 1,000 aircraft a year, including Sarla’s Shunya hybrid VTOL and a range of indigenously built electrical harnesses, landing gear systems and composite structures. The project will generate high-value employment by 2027, starting with 40 specialized positions and 140 indirect jobs. Rakesh Gaonkar, cofounder and CTO at Sarla Aviation, said the project is designed to place India at the centre of next-gen aviation. “With the world’s biggest Sky Factory, we want to make India the nerve centre for the next era of flight. This giga facility will shape the aircraft of the future and establish India as a force in sustainable aerial mobility,” he said. APADCL will act as a tactical facilitator to fast-track the project and build the surrounding ecosystem. The state government said the association marks a major step in its push to establish Andhra Pradesh as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing, aerospace innovation and green mobility.   Source: Business Today

Saheel Singh 21 Nov 2025

Aviation Training Aircraft Pilot

Indias Domestic Aviation Demand Strengthens in October 2025

India’s aviation landscape for October 2025 indicates that domestic air passenger traffic, ICRA's projections, and passenger load factor trends reflect underlying resilience in the nation’s travel ecosystem. There is a noticeable rise in overall travel interest, driven mainly by renewed confidence among leisure travellers, improved fleet availability, and seasonal tourism peaks that frequently inspire movement across key states and cities. According to the latest analysis by ICRA, passenger movements across Indian airports have been supported not only by higher flight occupancy but also by sustained recovery in aviation-related operations, which have contributed significantly to travel and tourism in the country. In October, domestic air passenger traffic in India grew in line with broader improvements across the national aviation network, suggesting the sector has efficiently adapted to operational challenges. Encouraging numbers in capacity deployment, combined with consistently strong interest amongst travellers heading to established and emerging destinations, have helped create a stable foundation for the aviation outlook. This expansion is significant for India’s travel sector, where air connectivity is important in linking tourism hubs and supporting regional economies. Steady Growth Reflected in India’s Domestic Aviation Activity The domestic aviation sector in India has been observed moving through a phase of renewed momentum in October 2025, with ICRA estimating that passenger traffic reached 14.28 million during the month. This signified a 4.5% increase over the 13.6 million passengers who travelled in October 2024. The month-on-month growth of 12.9% compared to September 2025 further indicated that the aviation landscape is benefiting from a surge in holiday travel, festival-related movement, and improved connectivity across the country’s major travel corridors. India’s domestic aviation network, supporting vital tourism flows across states such as Goa, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir, has anchored the resurgence of intra-country travel. With improving convenience and accessibility, the sector has played a central role in revitalizing local tourism economies that depend heavily on air-linked visitors. Passenger Load Factors Highlight Sustained Travel Demand The average passenger load, one of the strongest indicators of aviation demand, stood at 84.7% during October 2025. This marked an improvement over the 82.4% recorded in October 2024. This shift is a clear reflection of strong, consistent consumer appetite for travel within India. A high PLF has also been advantageous for airlines operating in the country, allowing more efficient seat use and improving operational stability. Tourist-heavy routes, for example, those connecting Delhi to Leh, Mumbai to Kochi and Bengaluru to Port Blair, have contributed to these strengthened load factors. Seasonal demand for hill stations and beach destinations has a big role in shaping this positive trajectory. Return of Grounded Aircraft Helps Ease Operational Pressure In October, domestic capacity deployment rose 1.7% year on year, with a 10.8% consecutive increase. These improvements were due to the return of grounded aircraft to service and by airlines' improved fleet utilization. India’s aviation sector has been experiencing periodic constraints due to supply chain delays, upkeep requirements and global market uncertainties. The reintroduction of grounded aircraft has therefore been instrumental in stabilizing seat availability across the country. This enhanced capacity has supported tourism-dependent regions where flight frequencies are vital for maintaining tourist arrivals. Improved seat supply has also helped travellers visiting pilgrimage sites, wildlife reserves, luxury resort destinations and remote hill regions in India that depend heavily on-air connectivity. Performance Overview for the First Seven Months of FY26 From April to October 2025, India’s domestic air passenger traffic is projected at 94.45 million, a modest year-on-year increase of 1.6 per cent. Though this increase has been measured against the more robust recovery phase witnessed in FY25, it has nevertheless indicated stability in the sector among various global and domestic challenges. In the corresponding seven months of FY25, domestic air passenger traffic was about 1,653.8 lakh, which reflected a stronger 7.6% year-on-year expansion. This earlier growth aligned with ICRA’s projections of 7-10% for FY25. Broader financial sentiment, temporary disruptions and evolving passenger behaviour patterns in business and leisure travel have influenced the shift from high to moderate growth in FY26. External Factors Shaping the Aviation Environment While travel demand remains healthy, ICRA has highlighted numerous factors that could shape growth consequences in the near future. Cross-border tensions have introduced doubts into aviation routes, while ATC disruptions have added operational intricacy to flight scheduling. Also, a mild softening in business travel sentiment has been observed due to shifting corporate priorities, remote-work dynamics, and ongoing global market conditions. Despite these influences, tourism-driven demand continues to anchor the domestic travel ecosystem. Enthusiasm amongst holidaymakers has remained high, particularly as India offers diverse travel landscapes that attract both repeat and first-time flyers. Augmented interest in short-haul trips, experiential tourism and flexible weekend travel has helped preserve consistent passenger movement across domestic airports. Stability Expected for FY26 Aviation Outlook ICRA has placed a Stable outlook on India’s aviation industry for FY26. Domestic traffic growth is projected at 4 to 6%, while international traffic is projected to rise by 13 to 15%. These projections confirm that India’s aviation system is well-positioned for gradual, sustained growth, supported by strong fundamentals such as airport upgrades, enhanced airline efficiency, and expanding networks serving key tourism circuits. International travel demand linked to routes connecting India to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe has also been contributing to a positive aviation environment. As new flights and restored routes, such as Air India’s planned resumption of Delhi–Shanghai operations, become available, India’s position in the global travel network is expected to strengthen further. Source: Travel and Tour World

Saheel Singh 19 Nov 2025

Drone Pilot Drone Training

DroneNova India to Launch Nation's First Drone Soccer League at ESFE 2025

DroneNova India Pvt. Ltd. has announced the launch of India's first-ever Drone Soccer League (DSL) and opened enrolments for its on-campus Drone STEM Workshops. The initiatives will be unveiled at the upcoming Education Supply & Franchise 2025, where DroneNova is the official sponsor. The ESFE 2025, scheduled from December 11 to 13, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, will bring together the most influential leaders, educators and policy influencers shaping the future of Indian education. The event will have the likes of Dr Niranjan Hiranandani as Guest of Honour, alongside distinguished speakers Sonal Pinto, Director, Ryan Group of Schools; Lina Ashar, Founder, Dreamtime Learning and Syed Sultan Ahmed, Chairperson, TAISI. The three-day expo will provide transformative solutions for India's quickly evolving education ecosystem. DroneNova's revolutionary Drone Soccer League, a first-of-its-kind initiative, transforms classrooms into live arenas of innovation. With the help of this program, students will pilot safe, sub-250g drones in a net-caged field, learning physics, coding, teamwork and strategy in an appealing, competitive environment. We want to make India a global hub for drone-based experiential education that inspires curiosity, collaboration and creativity in every learner," said Himansshu Jainn, Founder, DroneNova India. "Every flight is a science lesson; every goal is a leadership moment. With Drone Soccer, students don't just learn concepts, they live them." The program aligns with the priorities of NEP 2020 on experiential learning and 21st-century skill-building, complements Skill India pathways and adheres to India's evolving Drone Policy framework. Intended as a turnkey offering, it offers schools with equipment, safety infrastructure, certified trainers and curriculum-linked modules aligned with NEP, IB MYP, and IGCSE standards, ensuring both academic depth and operational ease. To catalyze a national movement, DroneNova is inviting 10 visionary institutions to join as "Founding Partner Schools" DroneNova India to Launch Nation's First Drone Soccer League at ESFE 2025. Advertorial Disclaimer: visionary institutions to join as Founding Partner Schools, who will obtain exclusive benefits as well as priority workshop scheduling, lifetime partnership privileges and guaranteed regional qualifier slots for the Drone Soccer League. By sponsoring ESFE 2025, DroneNova India will showcase how drones, STEM and sport can converge to redefine classroom learning and inspire a new generation of innovators. Source: ANI

Saheel Singh 19 Nov 2025