- Why in news
- On 24 March 2026, the Minister of State for Rural Development told the Lok Sabha about the Namo Drone Didi scheme: its funding terms, the drone package, and 500 drones given to women SHGs in 2023-24.
- What it is
- Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme that gives agricultural drones to selected women Self Help Groups. The groups rent the drones to farmers for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. It aims to raise rural women's incomes and spread drone technology in farming.
- Scheme type and outlay
- Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1261 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
- Balance financing
- Cluster Level Federations of SHGs can raise the balance as a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund with 3% interest subvention.
- Package and training
- The package includes 15 days of drone pilot training, one-year insurance and a 2-year annual maintenance contract.
- Drones distributed
- Lead Fertilizer Companies distributed 500 drones in 2023-24, with pilots trained at DGCA-authorised remote pilot training organisations.
Don’t confuse with Namo Drone Didi vs Lakhpati Didi: Namo Drone Didi gives drones to women SHGs for farm services. Lakhpati Didi aims to help SHG women earn at least Rs 1 lakh a year.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Gives rural women SHGs a technology-based income source.
- Spreads precision spraying, which can save inputs and labour.
Problems
- Drone use needs trained pilots, repair and maintenance support.
- Rules and demand for rental services may limit use in small-farm areas.
Way forward
- Strengthen training, repair networks and rental market linkages for SHGs.
- Track income outcomes through regular independent studies.
Put in your answer
Scheme outlay: Rs 1261 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26, as a Central Sector Scheme.
Study finding: An ADRTC Bangalore study found drones diversified SHG activities and raised incomes.
- 2020Mains GS2 · Q17Evaluate SHGs' role in microfinance for asset creation, income security, and women's empowerment.
- 2017Mains GS2 · Q16Examine SHGs' role in development and government measures to promote them.
- 2015Mains GS2 · Q9Explain how the SHG Bank Linkage Programme alleviates poverty and empowers women.
- 2026Prelims Q47Which statements on drone swarm communication and counter-measures are correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Pairs
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following pairs about the Namo Drone Didi scheme:
- 1.Type of scheme — Central Sector Scheme
- 2.Central assistance to women SHGs for a drone — 80% of the cost, up to Rs 8 lakh
- 3.Insurance in the drone package — Five-year comprehensive cover
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme.
True. It is approved as a Central Sector Scheme.
2.The balance cost can be raised as a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund with interest subvention.
True. CLFs may borrow under AIF with 3% interest subvention.
3.The drone package includes 15 days of pilot training.
True. Training is 15 days and covers licence preparation.
4.The package includes a five-year comprehensive insurance cover for the drone.
False. It includes one-year insurance and a 2-year maintenance contract.
5.The drones are meant for renting services to farmers for applying fertilizers and pesticides.
True. SHGs rent drones to farmers for spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
6.The drones distributed in 2023-24 were supplied by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare directly to SHGs.
False. Lead Fertilizer Companies distributed the 500 drones, per the Department of Fertilizers.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.