Chitrakoot to emerge as a new hub for drone pilot training, agriculture drone technology and rural skill development
AirDivit Udan Academy Pvt. Ltd., in association with Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, has received authorization and approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation — DGCA, Government of India to operate as a Remote Pilot Training Organization — RPTO.
With this approval, students, farmers, rural youth and technical education aspirants from Chitrakoot and nearby regions will now be able to access DGCA-approved drone pilot training and certification within the university campus.
As per the approval, the institute has been permitted to conduct Small Class Drone Pilot Training — VLOS Day/Night Operations. Eligible candidates who successfully complete the training will be able to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate as per DGCA norms.
According to AirDivit Udan Academy, the institute is Madhya Pradesh’s first Small Agriculture Category Drone Remote Pilot Training Institute. The academy also stated that it is the only institute in Central India equipped to provide training in both conventional drones and agriculture drones under the Small Category.
Modern Drone Training Facility Inside University Campus: Prof. Alok Chaube
Prof. Alok Chaube, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, said that the establishment of a DGCA-approved drone training facility inside the university campus is a proud moment for the university and the region.
He said that drone technology is rapidly becoming an important tool in agriculture, rural development, survey, disaster management, security, forest conservation and civil administration.
“This facility will connect students and rural youth with future-ready technology and employment-oriented skills. The university aims to train around 200 students annually through this initiative,” he said.
Prof. Chaube added that the initiative aligns with the university’s vision of linking education with rural development, innovation, skill development and employment opportunities.
Drone and Aviation Education to Get New Academic Strength: Prof. Dr. Anjani Pandey
Prof. Dr. Anjani Pandey, Registrar and Dean, Aviation Wing, MGCGV, said that the launch of the DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training facility is an important step towards integrating higher education, skill development and modern technical training.
He said that drone technology is becoming highly useful in agriculture, survey, security, disaster management and rural development. This facility will help students gain employment-oriented skills and prepare them for emerging opportunities in the aviation and drone sector.
New Opportunity for Rural Youth and Farmers: Jaidev Yogesh Tamrakar
Mr. Jaidev Yogesh Tamrakar, Chairman of AirDivit Group, said that the DGCA approval is a major achievement not only for the institution but also for Chitrakoot, Satna, Bundelkhand and Central India.
He said that drone technology is becoming essential in agriculture, security, survey, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring and administrative work. With the increasing use of drones, the demand for trained and certified drone pilots is also rising.
“Drone operation is not just about technology; it is also a matter of safety, discipline and national security. Our organization will not only train candidates but will also help them become responsible and certified drone pilots as per regulatory norms,” Mr. Tamrakar said.
He added that earlier such facilities were mainly available in bigger cities such as Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior, but now this opportunity will be available in Chitrakoot.
“Our objective is to empower rural youth and farmers by teaching them modern farming through drone technology. Agriculture drones can support pesticide spraying, fertilizer application, crop monitoring, land mapping, seed broadcasting and data-based farming,” he said.
Triple Certification Model for Agriculture Drone Specialization
AirDivit Udan Academy will work towards offering a special triple certification model for agriculture-specialist drone training. The model will include certification and academic support from:
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation — DGCA
- Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council
- Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya
The objective of this model is to train students not only in drone flying but also in agriculture drone applications, safety standards, technical skills and employment-oriented learning.
Chitrakoot to Become a Drone Education and Research Hub: Jagrat Kapoor
Mr. Jagrat Kapoor, Director of AirDivit Udan Academy, said that the approval is a proud achievement for the institution and the region.
He said that AirDivit Udan Academy is now ready to stand among leading drone and aviation training institutions and compete with reputed names such as Adani Skill Development Centre Bhopal, Centre for Aerospace Research Indore, and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi facilities in Bhopal and Gwalior.
Mr. Kapoor also acknowledged the important contribution of Mr. Anil Pal, HOD — UAV Department, and Ms. Smriti Bhamra, Head — Aviation Wing, in achieving this milestone. He said that both played a significant role in technical preparation, training coordination, academic planning and operational readiness.
He further said that the institute will not limit itself to agriculture drone training. In the future, it will also work on joint training and research with the forest department, police department, defence sector and civil administration.
“Our vision is to develop Chitrakoot as a hub for drone education, agriculture innovation, rural technology and research,” Mr. Kapoor said.
Safety and DGCA Compliance Will Be the Top Priority: Capt. Rohit Pratap Singh
Capt. Rohit Pratap Singh, Director of AirDivit Udan Academy, said that drone training is not merely about flying a machine; it is about aviation discipline, airspace safety, DGCA compliance and responsible operations.
He said that the training will focus on safety, DGCA rules, airspace discipline and responsible drone flying. The curriculum will include theory, simulator practice, ground training, practical flying, pre-flight checks, post-flight reporting and emergency handling.
“Our effort will be to ensure that every trained remote pilot is technically competent, legally compliant and fully aware of safety and security responsibilities,” he said.
Boost to Agriculture, Employment and Rural Development
The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for students, farmers, rural youth, agri-entrepreneurs and drone service providers in Chitrakoot, Satna, Bundelkhand and nearby regions.
Use of agriculture drones can promote pesticide spraying, fertilizer application, crop monitoring, land survey, seed broadcasting and data-based farming. This can help farmers save time, reduce labour dependency and improve modern farming practices.
With DGCA approval, this initiative is being seen as a major step towards developing Chitrakoot as a new centre for drone education, agriculture innovation and rural technology development.