Karnataka Fast-Tracks Drone Testing Facility Near Bengaluru, Policy Framework

The Karnataka government plans to accelerate the development of drone testing infrastructure and strengthen policy support for the sector, as part of its broader push to position the state as India’s leading drone innovation hub.

The move was discussed during a high-level drone industry consultation on May 15, chaired by Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India.

The consultation brought together drone startups, industry stakeholders, and ecosystem enablers to discuss infrastructure development, regulatory support and adoption of drone technologies across sectors. Representatives from ideaForge, Aereo, Asteria Aerospace, NewSpace Research & Technologies, and Vecros, among others, attended the discussion. 

“Karnataka is committed to leading India’s drone economy by moving decisively on infrastructure, policy enablement, and real-world adoption,” Kharge said. “Our focus is on creating shared testing facilities, simplifying regulatory pathways, and enabling a strong ecosystem for startups and industry to innovate and scale.”

A major focus of the meeting was the creation of a dedicated drone flight testing facility near Bengaluru. The government said it plans to fast-track operationalisation of the facility while enabling early-stage industry access alongside institutional partnerships and supporting infrastructure development.

The discussions also centred on streamlining approvals and standard operating procedures for emerging drone applications, strengthening workforce training and startup support, and expanding drone adoption in governance and public service delivery.

Among the proposals discussed was the launch of an annual ‘Bengaluru Drone Festival’ featuring drone racing, hackathons, innovation showcases, and public engagement activities to position Bengaluru as a national centre for drone technology.