Indian government has trained more than 32,000 people under the SwaYaan project to build skills in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as drones.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology runs the national project. It focuses on education, training, and research in drone technology and related fields.
Officials said the training covers over 900 activities across different program types. These include academic courses, short-term workshops, research programs, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The project works through a network of more than 30 top institutions such as IITs, IISc, NITs, C-DAC, and NIELIT centres.
The SwaYaan project aims to create around 40,000 trained workers in the UAS sector. It targets students, teachers, and other learners from different backgrounds. Training takes place in five main technical areas related to drone design, operation, and use.
A senior government official noted that the initiative helps develop human resources for the growing drone industry. The project supports India’s goal to become a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems.
SwaYaan uses a hub-and-spoke model. Leading institutions serve as hubs while smaller centres spread training across many regions. So far, it has reached more than 118 locations and formed over 400 partnerships.
The drone sector in India has expanded quickly in recent years. Drones now support farming, delivery, disaster management, defence, and mapping. The government wants to build a strong local ecosystem with skilled workers to reduce dependence on foreign technology and create new jobs.
The SwaYaan project forms part of broader efforts to promote self-reliance in emerging technologies. It prepares young people for careers in aviation, aerospace, and related industries as drone use grows across the country.
