Maharashtra NCC to launch drones training for cadets

Pune: Recognising the growing role of drones in disaster management, surveillance, agriculture, logistics and national security, the Maharashtra Directorate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) has decided to introduce drone operating training for cadets across the state.

The initiative will begin as a pilot project in Nagpur before being expanded to other NCC group headquarters in Maharashtra this year.

A senior NCC officer from the Maharashtra directorate told TOI, ”The directorate is in the process of procuring drones for training purposes and has sought requirements from group headquarters spread across the state. Depending on the strength of cadets and local requirements, each group headquarters is expected to receive between three and five drones in the initial phase.”

The move comes amid increasing adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles by govt agencies, disaster response teams and the armed forces. NCC officials believe early exposure to drone technology will help cadets acquire skills that are becoming increasingly relevant in both civilian and defence sectors.

The programme builds on a nationwide initiative launched by the NCC to create a pool of trained drone instructors. “Last year, the first batch of Master Drone Instructors graduated from the NCC Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Kamptee near Nagpur. The course was designed to provide participants with hands-on training in drone manufacturing, maintenance, repair and flying operations. Those successfully completing the training are eligible to receive Remote Pilot Certificates (RPCs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),” said the officer.

Master Drone Instructors included participants from several NCC directorates across the country, reflecting the organisation’s effort to build a nationwide drone training ecosystem. Representatives from Maharashtra, Kerala and Lakshadweep, Bihar and Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka and Goa were among those who completed the course.

Officials said drones can play a crucial role during floods, landslides, earthquakes and other emergencies by assisting in search-and-rescue operations, damage assessment and delivery of essential supplies to inaccessible areas. “With the expansion of drone training, NCC cadets are expected to gain practical exposure to emerging technologies while contributing to community service and disaster response efforts,’ they added.

The Maharashtra Directorate plans to gradually extend the programme to all its NCC groups after assessing the outcome of the Nagpur pilot project.