The government has launched a new Drone Supplier and Manufacturer Certification. scheme to strengthen the domestic drone manufacturing industry and promote the quality of the new and emerging drone industry.

Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the scheme, which will define a formal set of criteria for identifying manufacturers and suppliers that meet specified standards of performance, safety and technical capability. The move will help strengthen the confidence of investors and stakeholders, and will help India achieve its goal of becoming a global hub for drone technology.

Under the programme, organisations involved in the design, development and supply of drones and components can seek certification once they meet specific requirements in the quality of the product, meet standards related to product quality, regulatory compliance and technical capability. A national database will be established that will include certified manufacturers so that buyers can identify trusted manufacturers while encouraging higher quality standards across the industry.

The scheme will also incentivize domestic companies for research, development and advanced manufacturing processes, which will lead to a stronger position of Indian drones in the domestic and international market, officials said. They said better quality assurance will ensure that public sector organisations, government agencies and private industries will be able to confidently incorporate drone solutions.

The new certification framework is part of a broader effort to nurture India's drone sector, which has seen growing applications in agriculture, disaster management, surveillance, logistics and environmental monitoring. The scheme is expected to encourage innovation, and to do so safely and reliably, which are key factors in incorporating drones into the various sectors, authorities said. The initiative was welcomed by the industry, as they stated that a formal certification will help

Indian manufacturers to strengthen their position with global competitors. They also said that clear and standardised standards will help start-ups and small businesses expand their operations. The certification scheme is being developed cooperatively with technical organisations and industry associations and with the first certifications expected to be issued later this year following evaluation and validation procedures.