Key takeaways
- AVPL establishes 30 drone labs across 13 Indian states, enhancing technical education.
- Initiative aims for a total of 50 labs to provide practical drone training.
- Labs support training for students and faculty in various drone certifications.
- Invests ₹50 lakh per lab, equipped with advanced drone technology and simulators.
- Remaining 20 labs are under development, expanding access to drone education.
AVPL International, a Gurugram-based drone tech startup, has successfully established 30 Aero Vision Labs across 13 Indian states and union territories in partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
The initiative, part of a larger plan to establish 50 labs nationwide, aims to enhance technical education by providing practical drone training to students and faculty. This comes just after the startup announced a $1 million investment in research and development for defence drones in India this month.
The labs are backed by investments of up to ₹50 lakh each from AVPL and provide hands-on infrastructure for drone operations and diagnostics. The remaining 20 labs are under development.
“The Aero Vision Labs are not just about drones; they are about creating a future-ready India,” said Preet Sandhu, founder and managing director of AVPL International. AVPL shortlisted 47 institutions based on infrastructure and airspace zoning criteria. Each lab spans at least 5,060 sq. ft. and is equipped with AVPL’s indigenous Viraj agriculture drone, flight simulators, telemetry systems, and diagnostic tools.
Students receive training through government-sponsored and paid programmes, including the Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), Kisan Drone Operator (KDO), and Drone Service Technician certifications. Faculty members also undergo a ‘Training of Trainers’ (ToT) module to ensure standardised skill delivery in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Gujarat and Karnataka lead with six labs each, highlighting a push towards drone education in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Labs have also been launched in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
AVPL is also offering opportunities for internships, live projects, and entrepreneurial incubation through these labs. Founded in 2016, AVPL has trained over 100,000 professionals in drone and allied sectors through its DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO).
