AICTE drone labs to offer hands-on training in credit-based courses

To support the growing drone industry and address the need for a skilled workforce in the sector, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has partnered with AVPL International, a Directorate General of Civil Aviation-certified drone manufacturer and training company, to establish 47 AVPL AeroVision Drone Labs in AICTE-approved institutions nationwide.

The labs which are set to be operational from January 2025, will provide students with credit-based courses and hands-on experience in drone designing, assembling, programming, and operation. Over 25,000 candidates will be trained and equipped with practical knowledge and cutting-edge skills to meet the industry demands. The initiative stems from the rapid technological advancements in this industry and the recognition of the role educational institutions play in fostering innovation, research, and development in such emerging sectors.

Selection process
TG Sitharam, chairman, AICTE says, “The AICTE identified the need for infrastructure development and capacity building to support the growth of the drone ecosystem. The 47 AICTE-approved institutions were selected through a process based on specific criteria evaluated by an expert review committee. The factors considered included institutional NIRF rankings, performance in previous AICTE initiatives, status as a government institution and overall institutional quality. Institutions in rural areas have been given priority to guarantee the initiative’s success and applicability. This will ensure the programme’s success by addressing real-world challenges in agriculture and maximising drone technology's impact in these regions.”

There are plans to scale the programme to 200 institutions by 2025-2026 through collaborations with other industry partners.

Sitharam says, “The labs will provide students with hands-on, real-world experience that aligns with the rapidly evolving drone industry. This integration will enable students to work on live problems, enhancing their understanding of drone operations and applications across industries like agriculture, infrastructure, and surveillance. The courses offered will ensure that both theoretical knowledge and practical skills are incorporated into students' academic progress.”

To integrate these labs into the current curriculum, the AICTE plans to offer credit-based courses, aligning with the National Credit Framework (NCrF). Sitharam says, “There are plans to develop drone-related certifications and courses aimed at providing students with essential knowledge and skills in this rapidly growing field. Currently, there are several basic courses created by industry players, which focus on introducing students to the fundamentals of the drone ecosystem and its diverse applications. These introductory courses are designed to increase students' awareness of the drone industry. Later, in collaboration with industry partners, this will be extended into comprehensive and advanced online courses which will be available through SWAYAM Plus, an online platform aimed at ensuring wider access. Students from various geographical locations — especially those in remote or underserved areas — will have the opportunity to enrol in these programmes. The courses will cover a wide range of topics related to drone technology, from basic operations to advanced applications, ensuring that students can progress from foundational concepts to more specialised knowledge.”

The drone sector is experiencing rapid growth. However, this expansion has not been matched by the development of skilled talent.

Multidisciplinary skills
Preet Sandhuu, founder and managing director, AVPL, says, “The drone industry currently lacks a skilled workforce proficient in this technology. Post-sale services for drones pose significant challenges due to inadequate infrastructure. Drone technology is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring expertise beyond a single domain. It is not just about students from an electronics background; building a drone necessitates a combination of multidisciplinary skills. Only then, can a company successfully design and manufacture drones. The labs will tackle these key issues. The training will follow the guidelines of the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), ensuring a standardised curriculum. The courses will range from three to six months.”

Reliance on imported drone components remains a challenge, with indigenous drone manufacturing still in its nascent stages. “The current initiative will equip the youth with skills to create affordable drones, however, achieving a fully ‘Make in India’ drone ecosystem may take another decade,” she says.

She adds, “Until recently, drone technology in India has primarily been driven by private players, with several companies leading innovation and providing training, and services in sectors, including agriculture, surveillance, logistics, and defence. The government has increasingly recognised the potential of drones and, in recent years, has taken proactive steps to strengthen this sector. Initiatives including ‘Namo India Drone’ aim to foster indigenous development as part of the broader push to enhance the country’s drone ecosystem. Moreover, the adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models has been instrumental in aligning government efforts with private innovation.”

Addressing challenges
Setting up and maintaining these drone labs present several challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure development and faculty training. The AICTE is addressing them by creating and maintaining the necessary ecosystem for drone education with AVPL International focusing on training the trainers.

Sitharam says, “Besides training the professors and students from engineering colleges, training would be imparted to individuals from nearby communities, allowing non-engineering candidates to learn about drones, computer vision, and related technologies, ensuring equitable access to drone technology education.”

In the future, there are plans to work with other companies to further expand the AeroVision Labs. “To improve the ecosystem, we also hope to onboard important aggregators from the drone sector. The practical, industry-aligned training that these labs provide will act as a bridge between students and the drone industry, greatly increasing their employability. Through partnerships with other industry stakeholders, students will gain access to internships, live projects, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge drone technology,” says the AICTE chairman.