ideaForge Technology Limited, a leading global drone technology company, has been granted certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct its Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) Training (Small Class) programme. This milestone marks a significant step in the company's mission to empower India's drone ecosystem by delivering high-quality, DGCA-compliant drone pilot training.
The ideaForge Remote Pilot Certificate Training (Small Class) is a five-day programme designed to meet DGCA regulatory standards and address the evolving needs of drone operators across the country.
Speaking on the certification, Mr Amol Suryawanshi, Senior Director – Operations, ideaForge, said, "We are honoured to have received certification from the DGCA to conduct our RPC programme. This marks a step forward in our mission to develop best-in-class drone pilots who can efficiently utilise drone technology to achieve results across various use cases. These initiatives also support India's goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030. This programme is designed to set a benchmark for UAV training standards. As newer technologies such as BVLOS and autonomous drone piloting emerge, ideaForge is well-positioned to swiftly build relevant training programmes and develop a skilled pilot ecosystem."
This certification reinforces ideaForge's commitment to enabling safe and responsible drone operations across India. It also plays a critical role in skill development, bolstering India's indigenous drone piloting capabilities. As the country advances its ambition to be self-reliant in emerging technologies, developing a skilled workforce is key. By training and certifying drone pilots locally, ideaForge not only reduces dependence on foreign operators but also creates job opportunities across sectors including defence, agriculture, mining, urban planning, and disaster management.
With an annual training capacity of 200–250 pilots, this initiative contributes to India's broader effort to cultivate a robust, home-grown talent pool aligned with the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.'
The structured training comprises two days of classroom-based ground instruction, followed by three days of hands-on sessions, including simulator training, basic assembly and maintenance, and supervised practical flying—both dual and solo. The curriculum is aligned with DGCA guidelines and is delivered by certified instructors with operational expertise.
Ground training covers foundational and advanced topics such as basic principles of flight, meteorology, ATC procedures and radio telephony (non-FRTOL), aerodynamics across various drone classes (fixed-wing, rotorcraft, hybrid), risk assessment and safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and an introduction to drone data and analytics. The flying sessions include detailed simulator exercises, guided assembly and maintenance, instrument flying, and solo operations under instructor supervision.
The programme is open to all Indian citizens aged between 18 and 65 years, regardless of professional background. Applicants must have completed at least Class 10 and possess a valid government-issued ID such as a passport, driving licence, voter ID, or ration card, and should be medically fit. Students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and institutional participants are all encouraged to apply.
