Parliament Data Flags Slow Drone Adoption in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

New Delhi: Fresh data tabled in the Lok Sabha has spotlighted the sluggish pace of drone adoption in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, despite the Centre’s repeated claims of liberalising India’s drone ecosystem.

Only 480 Drones Registered in Madhya Pradesh

According to a written reply presented in Parliament, as of January 31, 2026, Madhya Pradesh has only 480 registered drones. The figure has raised eyebrows, considering the state’s vast geographical area and its heavy reliance on agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development — sectors where drone technology can play a transformative role.

Chhattisgarh Trails Further Behind

Neighbouring Chhattisgarh’s numbers are even lower. The state has just 161 registered drones, placing it among the lowest adopters in the country. Given its forest cover, mining zones, and internal security challenges, experts believe drones could significantly aid in surveillance, land mapping, and disaster management.

Centre Highlights Liberalised Drone Policy

The Union government, in its response, reiterated that India’s drone sector has been significantly liberalised over the past few years. Reforms have included simplified registration processes, reduced compliance burdens, and incentives under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drone manufacturers.

Officials argue that these policy measures were designed to make India a global drone hub and encourage both startups and state agencies to integrate unmanned aerial vehicles into governance and commercial operations.

Experts Call for State-Level Push

Industry observers note that while policy reforms at the national level have created an enabling environment, implementation at the state level remains uneven. Factors such as lack of awareness, training gaps, budget constraints, and limited institutional capacity may be slowing adoption in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Analysts suggest that both states could leverage drones for precision agriculture, crop insurance assessments, infrastructure monitoring, mining surveys, and even law enforcement operations.

Growing Scrutiny in Parliament

The parliamentary disclosure has triggered fresh scrutiny, with opposition members questioning why certain states continue to lag despite central incentives. The issue is expected to feature in further discussions, particularly in the context of India’s push toward digital governance and technology-driven development.

As India accelerates its ambition to become a major drone manufacturing and service hub, the latest data underlines the gap between policy vision and ground-level adoption in several states.