Ahmedabad Students Build Low-Cost Indigenous Drone That Could Transform Defence Surveillance

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In an era where wars are increasingly shaped by technology rather than boots on the ground, a group of students from Ahmedabad Government Polytechnic has taken a remarkable step toward strengthening India’s defence innovation ecosystem. At a cost of just ₹30,000, the students have developed an indigenous e-VTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) drone with a patented flight controller—potentially a game-changer for surveillance, disaster response and agriculture.

According to a report published in a local newspaper, the project, led by the Electronics and Communication Engineering department, aims to eliminate dependence on foreign drone components and create affordable, secure and scalable technology under the Make in India initiative.

Built to Be Secure and Hard to Track

One of the drone’s standout features is its advanced communication system designed to prevent easy tracking or data interception by adversaries. The team also used a locally manufactured motor supplied by an Indian startup, further strengthening the indigenous ecosystem.

The hybrid drone combines the efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft with the vertical take-off capabilities of a quadcopter, allowing it to operate without a runway. It can fly up to 18,000 feet, making it suitable for high-altitude surveillance and disaster management missions in difficult terrain.

More than four prototypes have already been developed, and six patents have been filed for various innovations.

A Fraction of the Cost of Imported Drones

Faculty coordinator Dr. Michel Prajapati highlighted the economic significance of the project.

“Drones purchased from abroad cost crores. If they are destroyed or captured during surveillance missions, the loss is enormous. Our drone costs only ₹30,000, and bulk production can reduce the cost even further,” he said.

According to him, producing 100 units could bring the price down to ₹20,000–₹25,000 per drone. Initial research and prototyping were supported by ₹1.8 lakh in funding from the Student Start-up and Innovation Policy (SSIP).

The drone’s eco-friendly design is another highlight. Built using biodegradable carbon PLA material, it avoids harmful plastics while maintaining durability and lightweight performance.

Defence Testing and Commercial Prospects Ahead

The drone has successfully completed lab testing and is expected to undergo defence trials in the coming months. If large orders are received from defence agencies or private firms, the team plans to outsource large-scale 3D printing while retaining assembly and integration in-house.

The students are already working on advanced upgrades.

“We are developing a drone equipped with a thermal camera to map high-rise buildings. This project will be completed within a month,” Dr. Prajapati revealed.

Expanding into Agriculture and Climate Tech

Beyond defence, the drone is being used for farm mapping and smart agriculture. The team has secured a ₹3 lakh grant from IIT Ropar for agritech innovation and applied for climate-change funding to expand its applications.

Smaller surveillance drones are also under development, supported by grants from the Gujarat government’s education department.

The project is closely linked with Vianautics Technology Pvt. Ltd., a registered startup founded by Pawan Verma, with Dr. Prajapati serving as mentor. Students Krishna Rawal, Divya Panara and Narendra Neve have contributed significantly through internships and product development.

Building Job Creators, Not Job Seekers

Dr. Prajapati emphasised that the initiative goes beyond engineering education.

“Our aim is not only to make students engineers but job creators. When a student’s idea reaches the patent stage, it becomes the biggest success for an institution,” he said.

With ₹22 lakh in SSIP 2.0 funding supporting innovation projects, Ahmedabad Government Polytechnic is nurturing a generation of engineers focused on real-world solutions.