The Namo Drone Didi Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 November 2023 to bring rural women into precision agriculture as certified drone operators. It was introduced because drone use in Indian farming was until then limited to scattered private operators, with no organised route for rural women to become owners or operators of this technology. Under the scheme, Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are given a subsidised drone package along with training, so they can offer paid spraying services — such as fertiliser and pesticide application — to farmers in their area. It is a joint initiative of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Department of Rural Development, the Department of Fertilizers, and Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs).
Namo Drone Didi Scheme Overview
- Scheme Name – Namo Drone Didi Scheme, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
- Scheme Launch Date – 30 November 2023, approved as a Central Sector Scheme for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26
- Scheme Fund Allocated – ₹1,261 crore total outlay, targeting 15,000 selected Women SHGs equipped with drones
- Type of Scheme – Central Government (Central Sector Scheme), governed by an Empowered Committee of Secretaries across Rural Development, Agriculture, Civil Aviation, Fertilizers, and Women & Child Development
- Helpline No – Kisan Call Centre, 1800-180-1551; beneficiaries can also contact their nearest Gram Panchayat Office or Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra
- States Covered – All-India, with SHG clusters selected by state-level District Committees based on local agricultural demand
Objectives of the Scheme
- Empower rural women economically by making them drone service providers and agri-entrepreneurs
- Introduce precision farming techniques like drone-based fertiliser and pesticide spraying at scale
- Generate a sustainable, additional income stream for Women SHGs
- Improve farming efficiency and reduce farmers' exposure to chemicals through mechanised spraying
- Build a structured, government-backed pathway for women to enter agri-tech, unlike the earlier scattered private drone-operator model
Key Features of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme
- Central Financial Assistance of 80% of the drone and accessory cost, capped at ₹8 lakh per SHG cluster
- The remaining cost can be raised as a loan under the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF), with a 3% interest subvention
- Mandatory drone pilot training (15 days) and drone assistant training (5 days) at a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO), provided free of cost
- Training must be completed before the subsidy on the drone purchase is released
- Each SHG is expected to manage roughly 2,000–2,500 acres of drone-spraying service area annually
- Drones and accessories are typically procured through Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) at the state level
- SHGs earn revenue by charging farmers a per-acre service fee for drone spraying
Namo Drone Didi Scheme Benefits to Women SHGs
- Access to commercial drone technology at a fraction of the market cost, thanks to the 80% subsidy
- Estimated additional income of at least ₹1 lakh per year per SHG from drone rental services
- Free certified training that turns SHG members into DGCA-recognised drone pilots and assistants
- A concessional 3% interest loan option for the remaining drone cost, keeping upfront investment low
- New identity and recognition for women as "Drone Didis" and agri-tech entrepreneurs in their community
- Ripple benefits for farmers too — drone spraying is faster, more uniform, and reduces manual chemical exposure
Limitations of the Scheme
- Benefit is restricted to registered Women SHGs under DAY-NRLM — individual women cannot apply outside an SHG
- Scheme targets a fixed number of SHGs (15,000) over its notified period, so not every applicant SHG may be selected
- Selection depends on District Committee evaluation of the SHG's financial standing, performance, and local demand for drone services
- The 80% subsidy is capped at ₹8 lakh, so SHGs choosing costlier drone packages must arrange the balance themselves or through the AIF loan
- State-specific eligibility conditions (such as age limits or educational qualification) may apply in addition to the central criteria
Documents Required
- Women Self-Help Group (SHG) registration number
- Aadhaar Card of all participating SHG members
- SHG bank account details
- Registered mobile number
- PPP ID or state-specific identity proof, where applicable
How to Apply for the Namo Drone Didi Scheme
- Confirm your group is a registered Women Self-Help Group under DAY-NRLM; unregistered groups are not eligible.
- Visit the official DAY-NRLM/Ministry of Rural Development portal, or contact your nearest Gram Panchayat Office or Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra for the application details.
- Submit the SHG registration number, Aadhaar details of members, bank account information, and location details as required.
- The District Committee will shortlist eligible SHGs based on financial standing, performance, and local demand for drone services.
- Selected SHGs undergo mandatory drone pilot and assistant training at an RPTO.
- After training completion, the SHG can purchase the drone package with the 80% subsidy applied, taking a loan for the balance if needed.
Conclusion
The Namo Drone Didi Scheme brings together technology, training, and financial support to open a genuinely new income path for rural women. By subsidising 80% of drone costs and pairing it with certified training, it lowers the barrier to entry into precision agriculture that was previously out of reach for most SHGs. As more women become certified drone operators, the scheme stands to reshape both rural livelihoods and how Indian farms apply fertilisers and pesticides.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Scheme details, interest rates, and subvention amounts are subject to periodic revision by the Government of India, RBI, and NABARD. Farmers are advised to verify the latest terms and eligibility criteria with their bank, NABARD, or official government sources before applying.
