India’s first Centre of Excellence for Drone Technology and Artificial Intelligence research was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Retd) V.K. Singh.
Speaking at the event, the minister emphasized that drones have immense potential to boost almost every sector of the economy. He noted that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with their flexibility and accessibility, can open up new opportunities for job creation and economic growth, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach regions of the country.
Alongside the research centre, Singh also launched three additional initiatives at IIT Guwahati:
- A Skill Development Centre for training in drone/UAV operations and maintenance.
- A Nodal Centre for drone data management across the Northeast.
- ‘Axom Droneports’, designed to support cargo drones in transporting urgent medical and emergency supplies to remote areas.
The minister highlighted government efforts such as the Drone Rules introduced in August 2021 and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturers, aimed at positioning India as a global leader in drone technology.
IIT Guwahati Director, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, stated that the institute is committed to supporting the government’s vision by advancing research, offering skill development, establishing droneports, and enabling greater use of drones to connect difficult terrains in the Northeast.
Representatives from drone startups and companies also took part in the programme, co-hosted by IIT Guwahati and FICCI. Dipankar Barua, Chairperson of FICCI Assam State Council, noted that drone technology could play a transformative role in regional growth, especially in areas like border security, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, mining, and infrastructure.
