Central India's Drone Adoption Gap: MP and Chhattisgarh Lag Behind National Trends
Despite the central government's vigorous push to expand drone technology across India, with a particular focus on empowering rural women through various welfare initiatives, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are significantly trailing other regions. As of January 31, 2026, official data reveals that Madhya Pradesh has only 480 registered drones, while Chhattisgarh has a mere 161. These figures underscore a pronounced regional disparity in the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles, even as nationwide reforms aim to accelerate their integration into key sectors.
National Reforms and Regional Shortfalls
In a written response to the Lok Sabha on February 12, 2026, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol addressed a query from Opposition MP Sajda Ahmed, highlighting the Drone Rules of 2021 as a pivotal enabler. These rules, subsequently amended in 2023 and 2024, have designated approximately 90% of Indian airspace as 'green zones,' permitting drone operations without prior permissions in most areas. Additionally, the Centre has streamlined remote pilot certification by eliminating the passport requirement and introduced a certification scheme in 2022 for unmanned aerial devices, targeting expanded use in agriculture, land surveying, and disaster response, especially in rural and remote regions.
Despite these comprehensive measures, drone registrations in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh remain strikingly low. Madhya Pradesh ranks a disappointing 14th nationally with its 480 drones, far behind leading states like Maharashtra, which boasts 8,210 registrations. It is also outpaced by comparatively smaller states such as Haryana with 2,179 drones and Andhra Pradesh with 1,876. Chhattisgarh's 161 registrations place it even further behind, raising concerns given the state's operational needs across dense forests, mining areas, and remote tribal regions where drones could significantly enhance surveillance, medical deliveries, and flood response capabilities.
Policy Ambitions Versus Ground Reality
The sluggish pace of drone registrations in Madhya Pradesh is particularly noteworthy, as the state government has proactively announced the "MP Drone Promotion and Utilization Policy-2025." This policy outlines ambitious incentives, including capital subsidies of up to 40% for manufacturers, capped at Rs 30 crore, and research and development grants of up to Rs 2 crore, with the goal of establishing the state as a drone manufacturing and innovation hub. With extensive farmland, mining belts, and infrastructure corridors, Madhya Pradesh possesses substantial potential for drone applications in sectors like agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring.
However, the current registration levels indicate that these policy ambitions have not yet translated into widespread adoption on the ground. This gap between intent and implementation highlights challenges in awareness, infrastructure, or regulatory compliance that may be hindering uptake. Similarly, Chhattisgarh's low numbers suggest missed opportunities in leveraging drone technology for critical tasks in its challenging terrains, where traditional methods may be less efficient or effective.
Implications and Future Outlook
The regional gap in drone adoption raises questions about the effectiveness of central reforms in reaching all states equally and the need for targeted state-level interventions to bridge this divide. While India's overall drone ecosystem is experiencing growth, the modest figures in central India point to a disconnect between national initiatives and local execution. Addressing this disparity will be crucial for realizing the full potential of drones in enhancing rural livelihoods, improving public services, and boosting economic productivity in these regions.
As drone technology continues to evolve, stakeholders in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh may need to enhance outreach, simplify registration processes, and foster partnerships with private sector players to drive adoption. The success of state policies like MP's 2025 initiative will depend on their ability to overcome existing barriers and catalyze a more robust drone culture, ensuring that central India does not fall further behind in this technological revolution.
