Guideline for Drone PLI Issued for MSMEs

The central government and has set Rs 2 crore annual sales turnover as eligibility norm for MSME and startups in drone industry applying for Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The last date for submitting the applications for the scheme is 31st March, 2022.

For drone components, the bar is kept at Rs 50 lakhs, while the eligibility norm for non-MSME companies in terms of annual sales turnover has been kept at Rs 4 crore for drones and Rs 1 crore for drone components.

The scheme is a follow-through of the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, is intended to catalyse super-normal growth in the upcoming drone sector.

It is also a push to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat set by the central government.

The drone industry is expected to benefit majorly from this scheme in terms of employment and economic growth.

The application form is of one page only, along with the certificate from the head of the organisation and the statutory auditor.

PLI scheme for the drone industry was notified in September 2021, with a total incentive is Rs 120 crore spread over three financial years, which is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers in FY 2020-21.