Gandhinagar: To address the need for skilled drone operators and meet the demands of industrial units, the School of Drones has been established in Gujarat by the State government under Kaushalya – The Skill University last year. Following an approval process by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, the School of Drones has obtained recognition as a DGCA Approved Drone Pilot Training Center in 2022. This makes Kaushalya – The Skill University the first state-run university in the country to receive such approval.

The School of Drones offers a drone pilot course to meet the demand for trained drone pilots in the industry. While private institutes charge a substantial fee for similar training, the School of Drones provides training to enhance the skills of youth for a nominal fee of Rs 15,000.

With advanced planning and well-equipped laboratories, including drone simulators, the School of Drones ensures a comprehensive training experience. Additionally, one instructor from 45 ITIs in the state has been trained as a drone master pilot trainer. As a result, approximately one thousand trainees have enrolled in the DGCA authorized drone pilot course, and around 470 trainees have completed the drone manufacturing and assembling certificate course in 22 ITIs under the School of Drones.

Furthermore, the School of Drones has developed a unique model called “Drone MANTRA” (Manufacturing and Training Labs). This model provides state-of-the-art machinery and technology for training in drone manufacturing and programming in realistic working conditions. The manufacturing process adheres to DGCA-approved designs, resulting in the production of more than 100 drones annually. The aim is to replace outdated drones and ensure the availability of cutting-edge technology through collaborations with drone manufacturers.

Kaushalya – The Skill University has established facilities for drone training in the first-ever School of Drones in Gujarat. The university is also planning to introduce two advanced postgraduate-level courses: Post Graduate Diploma in Drone Manufacturing and Programming and a Master’s degree program (M.Sc.) in Drone Manufacturing and Programming. DeshGujarat