The Maharashtra Directorate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) has decided to introduce drone operating training for its cadets across the state, recognising the growing role of drones in disaster management, surveillance, agriculture, logistics, and national security.
Pilot Project in Nagpur
The initiative will begin as a pilot project in Nagpur before being expanded to other NCC group headquarters in Maharashtra this year. A senior NCC officer from the Maharashtra directorate stated that the directorate is procuring drones for training purposes and has sought requirements from group headquarters. Depending on the strength of cadets and local needs, each group headquarters is expected to receive between three and five drones in the initial phase.
Growing Relevance of Drone Technology
This move comes amid increasing adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles by government agencies, disaster response teams, and the armed forces. NCC officials believe early exposure to drone technology will help cadets acquire skills that are becoming increasingly relevant in both civilian and defence sectors.
Nationwide Instructor Training Programme
The programme builds on a nationwide initiative launched by the NCC to create a pool of trained drone instructors. Last year, the first batch of Master Drone Instructors graduated from the NCC Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Kamptee near Nagpur. The course provided hands-on training in drone manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and flying operations. Successful participants are eligible to receive Remote Pilot Certificates (RPCs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Master Drone Instructors included participants from several NCC directorates across the country, including Maharashtra, Kerala and Lakshadweep, Bihar and Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, and Goa, reflecting the organisation’s effort to build a nationwide drone training ecosystem.
Role in Disaster Management
Officials noted that drones can play a crucial role during floods, landslides, earthquakes, and other emergencies by assisting in search-and-rescue operations, damage assessment, and delivery of essential supplies to inaccessible areas. With the expansion of drone training, NCC cadets are expected to gain practical exposure to emerging technologies while contributing to community service and disaster response efforts.
Future Expansion
The Maharashtra Directorate plans to gradually extend the programme to all its NCC groups after assessing the outcome of the Nagpur pilot project.
