Ban on drone imports, restrictions on foreign operators, alongside simplified permission processes and relaxed rules for domestic drones drive the Indian drone market.
The Indian drone market exhibits a diverse composition of professionals spread across various sectors, with equal representation (21%) in DSP (Drone Service Providers) and Software Manufacturing. This indicates a balanced ecosystem between service provision and technological development.
Hardware Manufacturing and Training & Education also hold significant shares, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the industry. Predominantly, small to mid-sized enterprises, with 1 to 200 employees, dominate the market, suggesting a landscape driven by agile and dynamic entities.
The Indian drone market is characterised by a higher concentration of medium-sized companies, with 33% of firms having 51-200 employees. In the huge population many startups are budding instead of many employees in a single firm. That is why 54% drone companies have less than 50 employees. This contrasts with the global trend of smaller drone companies and indicates a competitive landscape in India.
Public acceptance emerges as the primary challenge for Indian drone companies, given the large population and proximity to drone operations. Competition also ranks as a significant challenge, yet Indian drone companies exhibit a remarkable optimism level of 7.8 in 2023, higher than the global average of 6.6.
Regulatory changes, including a ban on drone imports and restrictions on foreign operators, alongside simplified permission processes and relaxed rules for domestically manufactured drones, are seen as key drivers for the Indian drone market. These regulatory initiatives aim to stimulate the domestic drone industry, potentially making India a significant player in the Asian drone market.
Drones are being used in various fields such as forest conservation and public health, for example, in combating dengue outbreaks in cities like Delhi. The recent partnership of Skydio to manufacture drones in India and the entry of prominent players like IdeaForge and Garuda Aerospace into the stock market signal growing interest in harnessing drone technology within the regulatory framework of the country.
The agricultural sector, contributing 15.4% to India’s GDP and employing 47% of the labour force, presents a significant opportunity for drone technology. Drones can enhance efficiency and profitability through precision farming practices, offering real-time data. As urbanisation increases and the workforce in rural areas decreases, drones could play a crucial role in Indian agriculture, as suggested by early investments like the Kisan Drone.
India’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes further underscores the potential for drones in inspection, surveying, and search and rescue operations.
The dense population of 1.4 billion and vast land area of 3.3 million km² necessitate construction and infrastructure projects, opening avenues for mapping and surveying with drones. Drone delivery also holds promise in densely populated regions to bypass traffic and in areas lacking infrastructure or isolated by natural barriers.
