Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to claim government subsidies for agricultural drones in India, with a focus on the Sub‑Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and relevant schemes
🇮🇳 Central-level Drone Subsidies (SMAM & Allied Schemes)
Who’s eligible under SMAM?
- Small, marginal, women, SC/ST farmers → 50% subsidy (up to ₹5 lakh)
- FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives → up to 75% subsidy (max ₹7.5 lakh)
- Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) → 40–50% subsidy (up to ₹10 lakh)
Additionally, institutional bodies like KVKs, ICAR centres and agricultural universities may receive full grants (up to ₹10 lakh) under separate provisions
✨ Special Scheme: NaMo Drone Didi
A central initiative (2023–2026) exclusively for women-led SHGs, offering an 80% subsidy on drone purchase (capped at ₹8 lakh), along with operator training and access to loan support via the AIF program at ~3% interest
📍 State-level (e.g. Karnataka, UP, Bihar, Telangana)
- Uttar Pradesh offers drone subsidies under its mechanization programme through the Agridarshan portal until mid‑July 2025 .
- Bihar supports farmers with up to ₹3.65 lakh per drone (~60%) via OFMAS platform, plus pilot training costs (₹35,000 per farmer) .
- Andhra Pradesh created Drone Mart portal to democratize drone services—including agriculture—where certified drone service providers connect with users directly .
Check with Karnataka’s Agriculture Department or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for current local subsidy schemes.
✅ Step-by-Step Application Process
- Identify applicable scheme: Central SMAM vs NaMo Drone Didi vs your state subsidy.
- Register on portal: Typically via agrimachinery.nic.in or your state’s agriculture portal .
- Gather documents:
- Aadhaar, PAN, bank details
- Landholding certificate or lease proof
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Quotation from DGCA‑approved drone vendor
- Evidence of registration (FPO / SHG / etc.) if claim under group entity .
- Submit online application: Choose beneficiary type, upload documents, project proposal, and vendor quote.
- Verification stage: District Agriculture or state-level authority shares approval or asks for clarifications.
- Purchase drone: From an empaneled DGCA-approved manufacturer only, per guidelines.
- Claim subsidy: Upload proof of purchase; verified subsidy amount is credited directly to your bank account .
- Training/certification: You may need remote pilot certification from DGCA-aligned training centers (e.g., Drone Academy or NSDC-recognized institutes).
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📋 Summary Table
| Beneficiary Type | Subsidy % | Max Subsidy Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Women, SC/ST, Small & Marginal Farmers | 50% | ₹5 lakh |
| FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives | 75% | ₹7.5 lakh |
| Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) | 40–50% | ₹10 lakh |
| Women SHGs under NaMo Drone Didi Scheme | 80% | ₹8 lakh |
Note: Training or pilot certification costs may be covered separately under specific programs.
📌 Example: Suppose you’re in Bangalore (Karnataka)…
- Check with local Agriculture Dept. or KVK for state-specific drone subsidies.
- If you’re part of an SHG of women, consider applying under NaMo Drone Didi (high subsidy, training included).
- Otherwise apply under SMAM via agrimachinery.nic.in, choosing your beneficiary category and uploading documents accordingly.
- Purchase only from approved vendors; ensure invoice and registration proof is furnished.
- Get trained and certified by DGCA-approved training providers.
📚 Further Support
- Visit agrimachinery.nic.in for central scheme registrations.
- Contact your District Agriculture Officer (DAO), or nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra to check state-level schemes or application support.
- If using NaMo Drone Didi, join a recognized women-led SHG and connect with a local KVK or training center.
