AVPL International, a Gurugram-based drone technology startup, has made significant strides in drone education by launching 30 state-of-the-art Aero Vision Labs across 13 Indian states and union territories. The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), is part of a larger plan to establish 50 such labs nationwide. “With an ambitious target of 50 labs nationwide, the initiative is aimed at transforming technical education by offering hands-on drone training to students and faculty alike.”
Each lab is backed by an investment of up to ₹50 lakh and is outfitted with advanced drone training infrastructure, including indigenous Viraj agriculture drones, flight simulators, telemetry systems, and diagnostic tools. These labs, each covering more than 5,060 square feet, are located within institutions selected based on their existing infrastructure and compliance with airspace regulations.
The Aero Vision Labs aim to integrate practical drone training with academic curricula, offering a variety of government-recognized and paid certification programs. These include the Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), Kisan Drone Operator (KDO), and Drone Service Technician courses. In addition, the initiative features a ‘Training of Trainers’ module designed to upskill faculty members and align the programme with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“The Aero Vision Labs are not just about drones; they are about creating a future-ready India,” said Dr. Preet Sandhu, founder and managing director of AVPL International. The company has also recently invested $1 million in R&D focused on defence drone technology, demonstrating its broader commitment to building a self-reliant and innovative drone ecosystem in India.
Gujarat and Karnataka are leading the deployment with six labs each, highlighting AVPL’s focus on reaching educational institutions in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Other states with operational labs include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, and Maharashtra. The remaining 20 labs are currently in various stages of development, indicating rapid momentum toward the nationwide rollout.
This collaborative effort between AVPL and AICTE is set to revolutionize drone education and skill development, preparing students and faculty for the evolving demands of India’s technology-driven future.
