Namo Drone Didi scheme trains 128 women as certified drone pilots in Uttar Pradesh

Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme run by Ministry of Rural Development. It gives cheaper agricultural drones and technical training to women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Government pays 80% of drone and accessory costs, up to ₹8 lakh per SHG. Cluster Level Federations cover the rest through loans.

Scheme details and training

Scheme budget is ₹1,261 crore from 2023-24 to 2025-26. It plans to help 14,500 to 15,000 SHGs. Each SHG gets a drone kit with four batteries, spare propellers, a nozzle set, a fast charger, one year of insurance, and a two-year maintenance deal. One member learns to be a certified drone pilot and another learns maintenance in a 15-day programme. They get a DGCA-approved pilot licence.

Status in Uttar Pradesh

By January 2026, 1,094 drones reached SHGs across India. Uttar Pradesh has 128 trained Drone Didis, placing it second after Karnataka with 145. A local training centre in Phulpur, Prayagraj, recently taught 90 women how to use these drones for crop spraying.