Namo Drone Didi Yojana 2026: women SHGs get an agri drone with 80% subsidy up to ₹8 lakh, free pilot training and ₹1 lakh+ yearly spraying income.
नमो ड्रोन दीदी योजना 2026: महिला SHG को कृषि ड्रोन पर 80% सब्सिडी, ₹8 लाख तक, मुफ्त ट्रेनिंग और सालाना ₹1 लाख+ कमाई।
📢 Latest Update — June 2026:
As told to Parliament on 24 March 2026, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) had distributed 500 agricultural drones to women Self-Help Groups under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, against the sanctioned target of 15,000 drones with a total outlay of ₹1,261 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26. State rollout is now expanding fast — Karnataka has emerged as the national leader, training 145 SHG women as certified drone pilots — and fresh batches of Drone Didis are being selected through state DAY-NRLM missions in 2026. Eligible women SHGs should register their interest on the official portal namodronedidi.da.gov.in and through their block NRLM office now.
⚡ Key Facts at a Glance
Namo Drone Didi Yojana 2026: Agri Drones for Women SHGs with 80% Subsidy
The Namo Drone Didi Yojana 2026 is a Central Sector scheme that puts a real agricultural drone — worth roughly ₹10 lakh — into the hands of a women's Self-Help Group, with the government paying up to 80% of the cost, capped at ₹8,00,000 per SHG. One woman from the group is trained as a "Drone Didi" pilot, and the SHG then earns money by renting out drone spraying of fertilisers and pesticides to nearby farmers. It directly benefits rural women SHGs registered under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and is built to lift each group's income by at least ₹1 lakh a year. The scheme is implemented jointly by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Department of Rural Development (DAY-NRLM) and the Department of Fertilizers, which works through Lead Fertilizer Companies.
What changed recently is the pace of rollout: by the 24 March 2026 Parliament update, 500 drones had been handed over under the scheme and states like Karnataka had begun mass-training pilots, so 2026 is the year to apply. Take Lakshmi's group in an Anand district village (Gujarat) — their SHG received a ₹10 lakh drone package, paid only ₹2 lakh (the 20% balance) through a low-interest AIF loan, and now charges farmers around ₹400 per acre for spraying. Covering 25-30 acres a day during peak season, the group earns over ₹8,000 on a good day and is on track to clear ₹1.2 lakh in its first season alone. Because the same drone can also be used for crop monitoring and seed broadcasting, a well-run group can keep the machine busy across both the Kharif and Rabi seasons rather than only at one spraying peak. Editor's note: Parliament reply figures verified against PIB release dated 24 March 2026.
Who is Eligible — Complete Criteria 2026
- ✅ The applicant must be a women's Self-Help Group (SHG) registered under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
- ✅ The SHG should be active, with a good repayment/credit history and ideally linked to a Cluster Level Federation (CLF).
- ✅ The SHG must operate in a cluster where drone use in agriculture is feasible — typically an area with cultivable land and demand for spraying services.
- ✅ One member nominated as the "Drone Didi" pilot should be aged roughly 18 to 50 years, preferably 10th pass, and willing to complete the full training (15 days for a medium-class drone).
- ✅ A second member or family member can be trained as a drone assistant/technician for repair and maintenance support.
- ❌ NOT eligible: individual women applying alone (the benefit goes to the SHG, not a single person), and SHGs not registered under DAY-NRLM.
- ❌ NOT eligible: urban self-help groups outside the NRLM rural network, or groups with a defaulting credit record.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step 2026
- Confirm your SHG is NRLM-registered: Check that your group exists on nrlm.gov.in (the DAY-NRLM portal). If you are not yet an SHG, first form one through your village organisation — see our guide on the SHG and rural livelihood schemes for the basics.
- Visit the official portal: Open namodronedidi.da.gov.in (the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare portal) and go through the Operational Guidelines, Help Desk and the latest selection advisory for your state. Scheme details are also published on lakhpatididi.gov.in.
- Submit interest through your CLF / block coordinator: Tell your Cluster Level Federation or block-level NRLM coordinator that your SHG wants to be a Drone Didi group. They forward your group's details to the State Rural Livelihood Mission for shortlisting.
- Get shortlisted and KYC verified: The SRLM and the Lead Fertilizer Company assess demand in your cluster and verify the group's documents and credit record before approving the drone allocation.
- Nominate and train your Drone Didi: Send one member for training at a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) — 15 days for a medium-class drone (5 days for the Remote Pilot Certificate plus 10 days on agricultural spraying, nano-fertiliser use, maintenance and data handling).
- Take delivery with 80% subsidy applied: The drone package is supplied with the 80% Central Financial Assistance (up to ₹8 lakh) already adjusted; your SHG pays the remaining 20%.
- Finance the balance via AIF loan: Raise the 20% balance as a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), which carries a 3% interest subvention, so your monthly outgo stays small.
- Start renting out spraying services: Once trained and equipped, begin offering drone spraying to farmers in your villages and collect rental income per acre.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose | Format |
|---|---|---|
| SHG registration / NRLM ID | Proves the group is registered under DAY-NRLM | Registration certificate / portal record |
| SHG bank account passbook | For loan disbursal and receiving income | Photocopy of first page |
| Aadhaar of nominated Drone Didi | Identity and training enrolment | Original + photocopy |
| Educational certificate (10th pass, if available) | Eligibility for pilot training | Photocopy |
| Passport-size photographs | Training ID and pilot certificate | Recent colour photos |
| SHG resolution / consent letter | Group decision to join the scheme and take the AIF loan | Signed by members |
| Mobile number linked to Aadhaar | OTP verification and updates | Active number |
Common Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Why it happens | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "We can't find an application form online" | Selection is through SRLM/LFC, not open online sign-up | Submit interest via your CLF/block NRLM coordinator |
| SHG not appearing in NRLM records | Group not yet registered or data not updated | Register/update through your village organisation, then re-apply |
| Drone runs out of battery mid-spraying | Single battery, large fields, long charging time | Buy a spare battery set; plan jobs around charging cycles |
| Trouble repaying the 20% balance | Unaware of AIF support | Use the AIF loan with 3% interest subvention; spread it over the season |
| Low demand for spraying | Farmers unaware of drone benefits | Run a free demo spray; tie up with FPOs and Krishi Vigyan Kendras |
| Servicing / repair delays | Limited local technicians | Train a second member as assistant/technician under the scheme |
Important Dates & Deadlines 2026
- 📅 Scheme period: 2023-24 to 2025-26 (15,000 drones sanctioned; ongoing distribution continues into 2026).
- 📅 Application window: Rolling — state SRLMs select SHGs in batches through 2026; there is no single national cut-off.
- 📅 Training duration: 15 days for a medium-class drone once your SHG is selected (5 days pilot licence + 10 days agriculture application).
- 📅 Income cycle: Peak earning during Kharif (June-September) and Rabi (October-March) spraying seasons.
- 📅 Best time to apply: Before the start of each sowing season so your drone is ready for the spraying rush.
Frequently Asked Questions — Namo Drone Didi Yojana
Q: How much subsidy does the Namo Drone Didi scheme give?
The government provides 80% Central Financial Assistance on the cost of the drone and accessories, capped at a maximum of ₹8,00,000 per women SHG. The remaining 20% can be taken as a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with a 3% interest subvention.
Q: Who can become a Drone Didi?
The benefit goes to a women's SHG registered under DAY-NRLM, not to an individual. One member of the group, usually aged 18-50 and preferably 10th pass, is nominated and trained as the Drone Didi pilot.
Q: How much can a Drone Didi earn?
The scheme targets at least ₹1 lakh of additional income per SHG per year. By charging farmers around ₹300-₹500 per acre for spraying and covering several fields a day during peak season, many groups expect to earn well over this.
Q: What does the training cover?
For a medium-class drone the 15-day training includes 5 days for the drone pilot licence (Remote Pilot Certificate, issued after training at a DGCA-approved RPTO) and 10 days on agricultural spraying techniques, nano-fertiliser use, maintenance and data analysis. A second member can be trained as an assistant/technician.
Q: How is this different from Lakhpati Didi?
Lakhpati Didi is the broad goal of helping SHG women earn ₹1 lakh+ a year through many livelihoods. Namo Drone Didi is one specific path under it — giving the SHG an agricultural drone and pilot training. Read more in our central government schemes section.
Q: What is the official website to apply?
The dedicated official portal is namodronedidi.da.gov.in, run by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; scheme information is also on lakhpatididi.gov.in, and SHG records are maintained on the DAY-NRLM portal nrlm.gov.in. Actual selection happens through your State Rural Livelihood Mission and the partnering Lead Fertilizer Company.
Q: Do I have to repay the 20% balance immediately?
No. The balance is financed as an AIF loan with a 3% interest subvention, so your SHG repays it gradually from the spraying income over the season rather than paying upfront.
Q: How many drones have been given so far?
As told to Parliament on 24 March 2026, 500 drones had been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi scheme by Lead Fertilizer Companies, with a sanctioned target of 15,000 drones. Distribution is ongoing, so new groups can still be selected in 2026.
Helpline Numbers & Grievance Portal
- 📞 Help Desk: Use the Help Desk and Grievance registration links on the official portal namodronedidi.da.gov.in for scheme-specific queries.
- 📞 Ministry of Rural Development (DAY-NRLM): Krishi Bhawan / NDCC Building-II, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi - 110001.
- 🌐 Official Portals: namodronedidi.da.gov.in, lakhpatididi.gov.in and nrlm.gov.in
- 📝 Grievance Portal: Register complaints at the central public grievance portal pgportal.gov.in
- 🏢 Local help: Your block NRLM office, Cluster Level Federation (CLF), nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra or Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra.
📋 संक्षिप्त जानकारी (हिंदी में)
नमो ड्रोन दीदी योजना 2026 के तहत DAY-NRLM से जुड़े महिला स्वयं सहायता समूहों (SHG) को कृषि ड्रोन दिया जाता है, जिस पर सरकार 80% सब्सिडी (अधिकतम ₹8 लाख) देती है और बाकी 20% रकम के लिए 3% ब्याज छूट के साथ AIF लोन मिलता है। समूह की एक महिला को 15 दिन की मुफ्त ट्रेनिंग देकर "ड्रोन दीदी" पायलट बनाया जाता है, जो किसानों के खेतों में किराए पर छिड़काव करके सालाना ₹1 लाख से अधिक कमा सकती है। आवेदन के लिए अपने CLF/ब्लॉक NRLM कार्यालय से संपर्क करें और आधिकारिक पोर्टल namodronedidi.da.gov.in पर जानकारी देखें। मार्च 2026 तक 500 ड्रोन बांटे जा चुके हैं और चयन अभी जारी है।
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