Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Maharashtra sets up ministerial task force to implement drone policy
The Indian state of Maharashtra wants to become really good at making drones — flying machines that can be used for many jobs.
The leader of the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, met with people who make drones.
He said the government will create a special team of ministers to help the drone plan work.
Minister Ashish Shelar will lead this team.
The plan will help companies do research, make drone parts in India, test their drones, and get money to pay for patents.
The government also wants to build a special place called a 'Drone City' in the city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
It may make it easier for drone companies to get land for the next two or three years.
The government says it will also help companies that already build drones, not just new ones.
The goal is to make Maharashtra strong in drone technology and to support growing opportunities in the defence sector.
The Maharashtra government will set up a ministerial task force headed by Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Ashish Shelar to ensure effective implementation of the state's drone policy.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the task force on Thursday at a meeting with representatives of drone manufacturing companies in Mumbai.
Fadnavis called for creating a 'policy of policies' for the drone industry, integrating provisions for R&D, indigenous component manufacturing, testing, patents and subsidies.
Officials were directed to expedite the 'Drone City' project in the AURIC/Industrial City area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The government will consider a special incentive policy for the next two to three years to ease land availability for drone companies through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), along with testing ranges and patent cost assistance.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Minister Ashish Shelar and representatives of drone manufacturing companies.
- What
- The setting up of a ministerial task force to implement Maharashtra's drone policy and strengthen the state's drone ecosystem.
- When
- Announced on Thursday; the articles were published on August 14, 2026.
- Where
- Mumbai, where the meeting was held; the 'Drone City' project is planned in the AURIC/Industrial City area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- To ensure effective implementation of the drone policy, support R&D and indigenous manufacturing, and tap growing opportunities in the defence sector.
- Government
- Maharashtra state government, India
- Chief Minister
- Devendra Fadnavis
- Task Force Head
- Minister Ashish Shelar (Electronics, IT and AI)
- Announcement
- Thursday, at a meeting in Mumbai with drone manufacturers
- Planned Project
- 'Drone City' in the AURIC/Industrial City area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Land Facilitation
- Special incentive policy for the next 2-3 years via MIDC
- Focus Areas
- R&D, indigenous component manufacturing, testing ranges, patents, subsidies
- Other Attendees
- Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, DGP Sadanand Date and other senior officials
