NIDAR is India’s largest national drone innovation challenge hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Drone Federation India (DFI) under the SwaYaan Initiative.NIDAR motivates students and researchers from academia to build collaborative autonomous drones for solving real-world problems in disaster management and precision agriculture. With INR 40 Lakhs in prizes, startup incubation, and industry mentorship, NIDAR equips students with hands-on skills and career opportunities in India’s growing drone sector.NIDAR aims to be a transformative milestone in shaping India’s future of drone technology and aerospace innovation. With a strong focus on fostering talent and industry-oriented research, the competition is designed to:
Inspire Future Innovators: Encourage students to explore aerospace and drone industry careers by engaging them in cutting-edge challenges.
Promote Industry-Driven Research: Align student projects with real-world industry problem statements to drive applied research and technological advancements.
Foster Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Mandate the formation of inter-departmental teams within institutions to cultivate a culture of interdisciplinary teamwork and holistic problem-solving.
Provide Industry Exposure: Offer mentorship, guidance, and internship opportunities to help students gain hands-on experience and industry insights.
Cultivate Entrepreneurial Mindset: Empower students to develop marketing and fundraising skills by requiring them to secure nominal funds through sponsorships and outreach.
Establish a Prestigious National Platform: Position the competition as an aspirational program encouraging applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the drone ecosystem.
About SWAYAAN
SwaYaan is a National Initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to develop and strengthen India’s UAS/Drone ecosystem, aligning with the Government’s vision to make India a global drone hub by 2030. The program empowers learners—from undergraduates to faculty and open learners—across five key technical areas through 1,500+ academic, research, and knowledge-sharing activities. Implemented by a network of 30 premier academic and R&D institutions, SwaYaan integrates skill councils and industry bodies to drive technological advancements, align with market needs, and shape industry standards, ensuring a global impact in drone innovation.
About DFI
The Drone Federation India (DFI) is a non-government, non-profit, industry-led body representing 550+ drone companies and 5500+ drone pilots across the country. DFI’s vision is to make India a global drone hub by 2030, and it promotes the design, development, manufacturing, adoption and export of Indian drone and counter-drone technology worldwide. DFI enables ease of doing business, promotes the adoption of drone technology, and hosts several programs like Bharat Drone Mahotsav, which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Bharat Drone Shakti 2023, which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. DFI remains the leading resource for industry trends, regulations, and training, ensuring India’s UAV sector thrives.
Important Notification: Last date to register for NIDAR is 18th April 2025, 23:59:59 IST
