IIT Guwahati begins drone technology programme for armed forces personnel

The Centre for Educational Technology at IIT Guwahati is anchoring a three-month certificate programme in drone technology for Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of the Indian Armed Forces, to support a smooth transition from the armed services into the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sector

Published 28 April 2026 | Category Workshops and Trainings | Office Centre for Educational Technology

A programme built for the transition

The Centre for Educational Technology (CET), in collaboration with the Center for Intelligent Cyber Physical Systems (CICPS) and the IIT Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF), is conducting a Three Months Certificate Programme on Drone Technology for Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks (JCOs-OR) of the Indian Armed Forces.

Its central goal is to support a smooth transition from the armed services into the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sector — enabling participants not just to enter the field, but to lead within it by launching their own start-ups.

The programme is sponsored by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Inaugurated at IIT Guwahati

The formal inauguration was held on 27th April 2026 at CET, IIT Guwahati. The ceremony was attended by Dean of Administration Prof. Sukumar Nandi; Prof. S. K. Dwivedy, Project Director and Course Instructor; Prof. R. Ganesh Narayanan, Head of CICPS; and Prof. Salil Kashyap, Coordinator of CET and Programme Coordinator.

From service to start-up

Specifically developed for JCOs and Other Ranks seeking post-retirement relocation, the programme aims to equip defence professionals with the knowledge, perspective, and practical skills needed to succeed as entrepreneurs in the rapidly growing drone industry.

The curriculum has been carefully designed to build participants up from foundational concepts in drone technology to a working understanding of the broader drone ecosystem in India, including its regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and emerging innovations.

The programme adopts the case-method approach and other well-established pedagogies practiced at IIT Guwahati, striking a balance between theoretical grounding and hands-on application through real-world industry scenarios.

Military discipline, civilian ambition

Armed forces personnel bring with them a strong foundation of discipline, leadership, and professionalism. These are qualities that translate naturally into the demands of entrepreneurship. This programme builds on that foundation through rigorous technical education and hands-on training, providing the reorientation, retooling, and upskilling necessary for participants to integrate confidently into the civilian drone sector and excel in the career paths they choose.