Using drones to transport life-saving medicines to remote areas, startups are optimistic about this market, expecting growth as regulations ease by 2026.
Drone startups are increasingly eyeing the healthcare sector as an emerging market for medical deliveries. According to an Economic Times report, these companies, with successful trials already conducted, are hopeful that regulatory hurdles will ease, enabling them to expand operations in delivering life-saving medicines, diagnostic samples, and other essential supplies.
Under India’s Drone Rules, companies are permitted to use drones for various sectors, including healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, defence, and construction. As the use of drones for medical deliveries gains momentum, startups report that healthcare logistics now constitutes 15-20 per cent of their overall revenue—a figure expected to grow significantly in the next five years.
In August 2021, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced relaxed drone rules, enabling on-demand deliveries, particularly in healthcare. States like Telangana and Nagaland have successfully used drones for transporting medicines, diagnostic samples, and vaccines, especially in remote areas.
In 2023, several drone startups were listed as ‘leading’ by Bots and Drones India, like TSAW Drones, Redwing Labs, TechEagle, Skye Air Mobility, and Marut Drones, which are revolutionizing medical deliveries.
Ankit Kumar, founder of Skye Air Mobility, shared to ET that the company currently operates around 30 to 40 flights daily, transporting medicines and diagnostic samples across India.
Notably, Skye Air has partnered with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences under the PM Ayushman Bharat Yojana, facilitating the delivery of critical healthcare supplies to remote areas. One of the company’s drones recently completed a 104-kilometre journey in West Bengal, delivering up to five kilograms of medicines for Flipkart Health Plus.
Despite the promising growth, drone companies are urging the government to ease regulations to enable broader use of drone technology in healthcare logistics.
The Indian government introduced programmes like Drone Shakti in 2022, becoming the country’s largest drone purchaser to support startups.
According to a 2023 report by the World Economic Forum, drones are increasingly becoming essential in India’s healthcare logistics. India’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) aims to improve public health by addressing maternal and infant mortality, ensuring universal healthcare, and integrating traditional medicine. Some states, including Ladakh and Kerala, have underspent NRHM funds, the report urged, which could be allocated to developing drone infrastructure for healthcare.
Two years past, with the rapid progress in drone technology and growing investments, many firms are optimistic that by 2026, regulatory frameworks will be more flexible, allowing for quicker and more widespread drone operations.
