Namo Drone Didi Scheme | Government Schemes Of India

Under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme of the Central Government, Women Self-Help Groups can now purchase commercial drones for agricultural purposes at an 80% subsidy or a maximum of Rs. 8 lakh, whichever is lower. Beneficiary SHGs will also receive Free Drone Flying Training and subsidized Loans.
Read the complete article to get full details.

Namo Drone Didi Scheme Highlights
Scheme Name	Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Date of Launch	15-08-2023.
Benefits Provided	Subsidy on Drone Purchase. Free Drone Flying Training.
Eligible Beneficiaries	Registered Women Self-Help Groups.
Official Website	Namo Drone Didi Scheme Official Website.
Responsible Department	Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
How to Apply	Through the State Level Committee.
Free Scheme Updates	WhatsApp \| Telegram

Table of Contents

Introduction of Namo Drone Didi Scheme: A Brief Insight

Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi launched the Namo Drone Didi Scheme on the 15th of August 2023.
The main objective of the Central Government behind starting this scheme is to improve the efficiency in the agricultural sector and promote the usage of advanced technology.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme also aims to financially empower Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of the Country and their Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) to increase their income.
This scheme is implemented by the Central Government’s Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Central Government aims to provide 15,000 drones to around 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups for commercial use.
Women Self-Help Groups can use this commercial drone for agricultural rental purposes, in which work related to spraying of pesticides or fertilizers will be done.
Self Help Groups will have to purchase the commercial drones on which the Central Government will provide a subsidy of 80% of the drone cost or a maximum of Rs. 8 lakh (whichever is lower).
If Women Self Help Groups are not capable of arranging the remaining amount, then they will avail the benefit of subsidized loans for the remaining cost of the drone.
Loans for the purchase of a drone will be provided by the Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF) under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
3% interest subvention will also be provided to beneficiary women’s self-help groups on disbursed loans.
Government will also arrange free-of-cost drone pilot training and drone assistance training at the nearest Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) for selected women members of the Self Help Group under Namo Drone Didi Yojana.
Drone Pilot Training is 15 days, and Drone Assistance Training is 5 days under this scheme.
Women members of the Self Help Group will get a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) after completion of the training.
Women’s Self-Help Groups can use this commercial drone for spraying pesticides, crop nutrients, and fertilizers in farmers’ agricultural fields.
Central Government estimates that the outcome of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme will be that each Women Self-Help Group can easily earn up to Rs. 1 lakh additionally by using the drone for rented agricultural purposes.
Initially Namo Drone Didi Scheme will be implemented for 2 years i.e., from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026.
Haryana Government also runs the same scheme with the “Drone Didi Scheme” name.
Central Government also launched the Official Portal of Namo Drone Didi Scheme on which beneficiaries can check the complete details about the scheme.

Namo Drone Didi Scheme Drone Package Items

Central Government will provide the following items/ services as a complete drone package, which will be delivered to Women Self Groups after the purchase of drone :-

Drone Box with 1 Year onsite Warranty on all Items.
4 Spare Battery Sets.
Downward-Facing Camera.
Anemometer.
pH Meter.
1 Spare Propeller Set. (Each Set contains 6 Propellers)
Petrol Portable Manual Generator. (03 KVA)
Centrifugal Nozzle with Mounting Attachment (Minimum 2 Numbers)
Hollow Cone High Pressure Atomizing Nozzle. (Minimum 4 Numbers)
Flat Jet Spray Nozzle. (Minimum 4 Numbers)
Dual Channel Fast Battery Charger.
Battery Charger Hub with 6 Ports.
Remote Pilot Certificate from DGCA. (Free Drone Pilot Training)
Annual Maintenance Contract for 2 years.
Comprehensive Insurance for Drones.
Applicable GST.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Women Beneficiaries of Registered Self Help Groups will get the below mentioned benefits from the Central Government under its Namo Drone Didi Scheme :-
- Self-help groups can Purchase Drones for Rental purposes.
- Subsidy on the Purchase of Commercial Drones will also be provided by the Central Government.
- Subsidy will also cover the Accessories and Ancillary Charges of the Drone.
- Each Women Self Help Group gets 80% Subsidy on Drone Price or a Maximum of Rs. 8,00,000/-. (Whichever is lower)
- The facility of a Loan for the Remaining Price of the Drone is also available from the Agriculture Infra Financing Facility. (AIF)
- Interest Subvention applicable is 3% on the approved loan.
- Free-of-cost drone Pilot Training will also be provided at the nearest RPTO.
- Remote Pilot Certificate will be provided, and the Women Member will be called as Drone Didi.
- Women Self-Help Groups can earn up to Rs. 1 Lakh per year by using the purchased drone.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Central Government will provide the benefit of a subsidy and a loan on the purchase ofa Commercial Drone to only those beneficiaries who fulfill the following eligibility criteria of Namo Drone Didi Scheme :-
- Indian Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are Eligible.
- Women’s Self-Help Group should be registered under DAY-NRLM.
- Self Help Group will have to nominate one Woman for Drone Pilot and another for Drone Assistant.
- Age of Women Members should be more than 18 years and less than 50 years.
- Women members should be Class 10th Pass.
- Women members should be physically and Mentally Fit.
- Purchased Drones will only be used for Rental Services to Farmers for Agriculture.
- The usage of drones should be for spraying fertilizers and Pesticides in Agricultural fields.

Documents Required to be Attached

Women Members of Self Help Groups will have to submit the following documents with the Application Form of Namo Drone Didi Scheme :-
- Registration Number of Women’s Self-Help Group. (SHG)
- Aadhaar Card of Women Beneficiary.
- Bank Account Number of Self-Help Group.
- Mobile Number and Email.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

State Level/ District Committee will identify the eligible Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or Clusters to provide them the benefit of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Benefits of Namo Drone Didi Yojana will only be provided to those Women Self-Help Groups who are registered.
Selection of SHGs will be purely based on their financial status and their contribution to society.
District/ State Level Committee will make a list of eligible Women Self-Help Groups and inform them about their selection in the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Women Self Help Groups will have to nominate 2 women members whose age is between 18 years to 50 years and who are mentally and physically fit for Drone Pilot and Drone Assistance Training under the Central Government’s Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Eligible and Nominated Women Members of Self Help Groups will undergo the Drone Pilot Training for 15 days, and Drone Assistants will get 5 days of training under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
Drone Flying Training will be provided at the nearest Remote Pilot Training Organization. (RPTO)
Training of Drone Flying consists of drone flying, understanding the provision of Drone Rules, procedure to spray nutrients and pesticides in agricultural fields, and minor repair and maintenance of drones.
Remote Pilot Certificate will be provided to a woman member who has completed the drone training, and she will be called as “Drone Didi”.
Subsidy on the purchase of a Drone will be disbursed directly in the bank account of the Women Self-Help Group.
Contact Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra or Gram Panchayat in case any help or assistance is required regarding the Namo Drone Didi Scheme of the Central Government.

Important Links Available

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the objective of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme?
-The scheme aims to improve agricultural efficiency and empower Women Self-Help Groups by providing them with drones for commercial agricultural use.
Who launched the Namo Drone Didi Scheme and when?
-Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the scheme on 15th August 2023.
What kind of financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
-Namo Drone Didi Scheme offers an 80% subsidy on the purchase price of drones or a maximum of Rs. 8 lakh, whichever is lower.
Can Women SHGs take loans for purchasing drones?
-Yes, SHGs can avail subsidized loans from the Agriculture Infra Financing (AIF) Facility for the remaining cost.
Is there any interest subvention on loans under this scheme?
-Yes, a 3% interest subvention is provided on approved loans for drone purchase.
What is the training duration for drone pilots under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme?
-Drone Pilot Training is 15 days, and Drone Assistant Training is 5 days.
Who is eligible for the Namo Drone Didi Scheme?
-Registered Women Self-Help Groups under DAY-NRLM are eligible to apply for this scheme.
What are the age and educational qualifications for nominated women members?
-Women must be aged between 18 and 50 years and should have passed Class 10th.
What is included in the drone package provided under the scheme?
-The package includes spraying assembly, batteries, chargers, camera, anemometer, pH meter, and more with a one-year onsite warranty.
Can the drone be used for non-agricultural purposes?
-No, the drones must be used for agricultural services like spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
How are eligible SHGs selected for the scheme?
-Selection is done by District/State Committees based on financial status and social contributions.
What certificate is issued after the training is completed?
-A Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) is issued, and the trained woman is called a “Drone Didi.”
What are the estimated earnings for SHGs using drones commercially?
-SHGs can earn up to Rs. 1 lakh per year additionally by renting out the drone for agricultural purposes.
Where can SHGs get help or information about the scheme?
-SHGs can contact the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra or their local Gram Panchayat.
What documents are required to apply for the scheme?
-Required documents include SHG registration number, Aadhaar card, bank account number, mobile number, and email are required.

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