New Delhi, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s drone sector has grown from a revenue base of around Rs 60 crore in 2021 to Rs 3,000-4,000 crore in 2025, with Drone Federation of India President Smit Shah crediting the Make in India initiative, Drone Rules 2021 and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for driving the expansion.
Speaking on the completion of 12 years of Make in India, Shah said the government’s push to indigenise drone manufacturing had helped establish a domestic drone ecosystem.
“Because of initiatives like Make in India, the entire drone ecosystem of the country today exists,” he said.
Shah said liberalisation of drone policy and the PLI scheme had strengthened the sector, while government-backed initiatives had helped the industry demonstrate its capabilities in both military and civilian applications, including during Operation Sindoor.
He identified three major changes following the Make in India push: ease of doing business through the Drone Rules 2021, financial incentives through the PLI scheme, and restrictions on foreign drones that encouraged domestic manufacturing.
“The drone sector’s complete revenue, which was merely Rs 60 crore, has now reached Rs 3,000 to 4,000 crore, and in the upcoming years it is going to become a Rs 19,000 to 20,000 crore industry,” Shah said.
According to Shah, the combination of the 2021 drone policy, PLI scheme and import restrictions, all linked to the Make in India vision, has been the biggest driver of growth in the sector.
Make in India was launched on September 25, 2014, with the stated objectives of facilitating investment, promoting innovation and developing India as a hub for manufacturing, design and innovation. The initiative was also positioned as a “Vocal for Local” campaign to showcase Indian manufacturing capabilities globally.
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