Drone Shakti & Drone Manufacturing PLI
New 5-yr manufacturing scheme has in-principle clearance, notification pending.
Quick facts
- Ministry / Agency
- Ministry of Civil Aviation
- Funding
- ~₹10,000 Cr 5-yr scheme proposed
- Stage
- mvp, growth
- Sector
- drones, hardware, manufacturing
- Equity dilution
- none
- DPIIT recognition required
- No
- NRI / OCI eligibility
- Yes — NRI and OCI founders are eligible to apply.
Who is eligible
Drone hardware/manufacturing or DrAAS service
How to apply
Drone PLI is administered by Ministry of Civil Aviation. Applications are submitted through the official portal — there are no application fees and you do not need to go through third-party intermediaries.
Apply on the official portalRelated schemes
Other schemes that often pair with Drone PLI or apply to a similar profile.
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes
Output-based 4-6% sales subsidy over 5-6 years across 13+ sectors. For hardware-heavy startups already in production.
ISM Design Linked Incentive
Up to 50% reimbursement on design costs + financial incentives over 5 years for fabless chip-design startups.
iDEX SPARK / DISC
Up to ₹1.5 Cr SPARK grant for defence prototype against problem statements. Procurement path via DAP 2020.
PM E-Drive Scheme
₹10,900 Cr active successor to FAME II. Includes purchase subsidies.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Drone PLI?+
Drone hardware/manufacturing or DrAAS service
What is the funding amount under Drone PLI?+
~₹10,000 Cr 5-yr scheme proposed. ~₹10,000 Cr 5-yr scheme proposed
Can NRI or OCI founders apply for Drone PLI?+
Yes — NRI and OCI founders are eligible to apply.
Does Drone PLI require DPIIT recognition?+
No — DPIIT recognition is not required for Drone PLI.
How do I apply for Drone PLI?+
Apply through the official portal at civilaviation.gov.in. The scheme is administered by Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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