India’s National Test House (NHT) was established in 1912 while the country was still under British rule. At that time, it was called the Government Test House and was primarily focused on building India’s railway infrastructure. NHT has continued to support the development of the country’s technological pursuits, aligning with government objectives. Today, NHT is the largest multidisciplinary governmental testing organization in India. As stated on their website, “National Test House is committed to maintaining competence, consistent operation, impartiality, and confidentiality in respect of all its activities for meeting the requirements of national and international standards.”

NHT’s main test branches are strategically located throughout the country in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Varanasi. Each of these locations is responsible for the development of specific technologies that fall into the following categories: civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering; non-destructive and metallography testing; rubber, plastic, and textile technologies; electronics and high-voltage testing; and chemical and biological testing.

In response to the global boom in the drone industry, the Indian government has set a goal to become a leading drone hub by the year 2030. According to NHT, this is an “Amrit Kaal,” an auspicious time for development and growth, for the drone industry both domestically and globally. NHT’s Ghaziabad test lab has therefore been tasked with ushering in India’s drone revolution by ensuring that all critical standards are met. India has a handful of private drone certification companies, but NHT has been designated as the only government-accredited drone certification provider.

“The Government of India has been working to establish a world-leading drone ecosystem in India to support safe, efficient, and secure access to Indian airspace by millions of drones,” NHT’s website states. “The release of Drone Rules 2021 has made it possible to establish a global certification and accreditation framework for drones.” Based on the standards set forth by the Government of India, NHT has already begun the certification process for 23 drone-related companies. Of those who have become certified, 12 are drone manufacturers while 11 manufacture drone components.

One of the factors slowing down India’s desire to achieve its goal of drone dominance is the expense of becoming a certified drone company. Using one of the few private certification firms will cost a drone company ₹10-12 lakh ($11,910 – $14,292 USD). To jump-start the program, NHT will be offering certification at a deeply reduced rate of ₹1.5 lakh ($1,786 USD). “The low-cost structure will support innovation and growth in the drone sector, which aligns with the government’s vision to position India as a global drone hub catering to various sectors, such as agriculture, health care, and logistics,” explained Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare.

NHT is set to begin the certification process for Vimaana Aerospace Technologies, based out of Noida, this September 2024. Founded in 2020, Vimaana Aerospace provides drone services, educational programs, and manufactures drone frames. The company’s main product is the VT-400, a quadcopter drone frame made from nylon and glass-fiber material for durability. In honor of the Indian flag, the frame’s arms are orange and green. They are gearing up to release their latest project, the Krishiraj 1.0, pending NHT certification. The Krishiraj 1.0 is an agricultural drone, an area of the drone industry that India is particularly hopeful about expanding upon.

As India advances its drone technology sector, the support from institutions like NHT and the government’s strategic incentives are pivotal in shaping the country’s future as a global leader in this burgeoning field. By making certification more accessible and fostering innovation, India is setting the stage for significant advancements in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics. The commitment to nurturing homegrown technology and infrastructure reflects a broader vision of leveraging cutting-edge solutions to address diverse challenges and opportunities. With promising developments on the horizon, India’s journey toward becoming a premier drone hub is well underway, promising to reshape the industry both domestically and internationally.

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