DGCA-Approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation

DGCA-Approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation

Company

Case Studies

dgca-approved-remote-pilot-training-organisation

Garuda Aerospace — RPTO & Centre of Excellence

Garuda Aerospace stands at the forefront of India's drone training transformation as one of India's few companies operating a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The programme goes beyond teaching drone flight — it prepares graduates to become independent entrepreneurs, building sustainable businesses in the drone services economy. As of 2024, Garuda has trained 2,542 certified drone pilots across training centres in 26 cities, with 325 institution MoUs signed across 26 states.

The Challenge

Before the emergence of DGCA-approved RPTOs, aspiring drone pilots in India faced significant barriers to entry:

Aspiring pilots had no structured, government-recognised route to professional certification — the absence of DGCA-approved programmes meant skills and knowledge varied widely across the workforce

Traditional educational approaches provided theoretical knowledge without sufficient hands-on flying time, which most institutions could not offer

Even when training was available, graduates had no structured support for converting their certification into a sustainable career or business

Quality drone training was concentrated in major urban centres, leaving rural youth without accessible pathways to certification

Universities and colleges lacked the infrastructure, curriculum, faculty capability, and regulatory framework to embed drone technology education within mainstream academic programmes

The Drone Solution

Organisation Type: DGCA-Approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO)

Training Method: 3-Phase: Ground Theory → Simulation → Live Flying

Courses Offered: 5 DGCA-Certified Courses (Course A to E) + Drone Technician + Junior Pilot

Outcome: 2,542 certified drone pilots trained across 26 cities, with 325 academic institution partnerships across 26 states and a plug-and-play entrepreneurship model enabling graduates to immediately launch drone services businesses

Outcomes

Trained 2,542 DGCA-certified drone pilots as of 2024 — contributing a substantial share of India's professionally qualified pilot workforce across agriculture, inspection, surveillance, and logistics sectors.

Established active training centres across 26 cities, ensuring that aspiring pilots in both urban and rural India have accessible pathways to DGCA certification.

Embedded UAV and drone technology education within 325 academic institutions across 26 states — including 190 affiliated colleges, 64 autonomous institutions, 52 universities, 10 agricultural colleges, and 9 polytechnics.

Equipped graduates with a plug-and-play entrepreneurship model, placement support, and membership in the Force Garuda network — enabling them to immediately establish drone services businesses serving their local communities.

Reference Case Study

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DGCA-Approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation