Meeting Held to Understand Suggestions and Expectations of Drone Industry Entrepreneurs
Mumbai, Aug 2026 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that a task force will be constituted under the chairmanship of Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar to ensure effective implementation of the state’s drone industry policy, disseminate information about government schemes among entrepreneurs and address their concerns promptly.
A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was held at Sahyadri Guest House to understand the suggestions and expectations of entrepreneurs in the drone sector. Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Manisha Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Director General of Police Sadanand Date, Principal Secretary Dr P. Anbalagan, Secretary Virendra Singh and representatives of drone manufacturing companies attended the meeting.
‘Policy of Policies’ for Drone Industry
Chief Minister Fadnavis said there was a need to consolidate provisions related to research and development, indigenous component manufacturing, testing, patents and financial assistance contained in various state policies and create a comprehensive “Policy of Policies” for the drone industry.
He said Maharashtra’s drone policy was strong compared with those of other states.
Fadnavis emphasised the need to provide special incentives for research and development and indigenous manufacturing in the drone sector. He directed officials to pool financial provisions available for research under various government policies and make them accessible to the industry.
Entrepreneurs should be able to avail themselves of the combined benefits of different schemes available for research, development and testing, he said.
Strengthening the Existing Drone Ecosystem
The Chief Minister directed officials to give priority to strengthening the drone industry ecosystem that already exists in Maharashtra.
While efforts should be made to attract new companies, existing industries must not be neglected, Fadnavis said. He also directed officials to explore the possibility of providing financial assistance to existing institutions towards testing costs until dedicated laboratories and testing facilities become available.
He called for expediting the development of a “Drone City” in the Industrial City area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Fadnavis also suggested considering a special incentive policy for the next two to three years to facilitate land availability for drone companies through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
He said necessary steps would be taken to establish testing ranges for the drone industry, provide assistance towards patent-related expenses and enable entrepreneurs to access the combined benefits of various Central and State Government schemes.
Drone Entrepreneurs’ Past Work Will Be Properly Recognised: Ashish Shelar
Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar said Maharashtra’s drone policy was comprehensive and had also taken into consideration young people and entrepreneurs who were already working in the sector even before the policy was announced.
The previous work carried out by drone entrepreneurs would be properly evaluated and they would be provided opportunities within the framework of the existing policy, Shelar said.
He said the state government aimed to provide a major boost to indigenisation in the drone sector and would focus on providing the necessary support and infrastructure.
The sector would also be promoted through greater coordination among various government departments as well as through missions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, he added.
Shelar further said testing and range facilities required for drones would be strengthened. In addition, the aerospace sector and related agencies would be strengthened on an urgent basis to enable Maharashtra to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the defence sector.
