Mumbai: The Maharashtra government’s ambitious AMRUT Drone Mission has landed in a major controversy. The scheme, which claims to empower Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) through advanced drone training, is being strongly criticized for allegedly catering only to upper castes while systematically excluding Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.
Advocate Priyadarshi Telang has strongly condemned the move, calling it a clear case of caste-based discrimination. He pointed out that the official registration form for the AMRUT Drone Mission asks applicants to select their caste from a specific list that includes Brahmin, Baniya (Vaishya), Rajpurohit, Kamma, Kayastha, Iyengar, Nayar, Naidu, Patidar, Bengali, Patel, Bhoomihaar, Yelmar, Marwadi, Thakur, and others. Notably, there is no option for SC, ST, or OBC categories in the form.
According to the notification, the courses are designed as per the DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training syllabus and aligned with the latest Drone Rules and DGCA circulars. The training covers complete theory, simulator sessions, and practical flying for Small and Medium Class RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems). Each program lasts 10 days and ends with DGCA-compliant written and practical assessments.
Upon successful completion, candidates can pursue various roles such as Remote Pilot Instructor, Drone Technician, Survey Specialist, Agri-Spraying Operator, Cinematography Pilot, and more. There is also a separate “Train The Trainer” course with additional eligibility criteria, including a graduation degree or specific technical qualifications and a valid Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC).
The eligibility criteria for the AMRUT Training Program clearly state that only candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) with family income below ₹8 lakh per annum are eligible.
As per Indian law, the EWS category applies exclusively to the General/Upper Caste category. SC, ST, and OBC communities, who have their own separate reservation frameworks, are therefore kept out of this scheme.
Other basic eligibility requirements include: age between 18-55 years, SSC passed, Aadhaar Card, Photo ID proof, Address Proof, Medical Certificate as per DGCA format, recent passport-size photograph, Maharashtra domicile, and PAN Card.
Advocate Priyadarshi Telang said, “While the government talks about empowering youth with future technologies, this scheme has been deliberately designed to keep the skies reserved for upper castes. SC, ST, and OBC youths, who have faced centuries of systemic exclusion from education and economic opportunities, are being denied access to this publicly funded drone training program.”
He has demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis immediately intervene and open the AMRUT Drone Mission to SC, ST, and OBC youths as well, ensuring equal access to emerging technologies and new livelihood opportunities.
The controversy has raised serious questions about social justice and inclusive development in Maharashtra. Critics argue that restricting a futuristic, DGCA-approved, and publicly funded program only to economically weaker upper castes defeats the purpose of inclusive growth and deprives the majority of youth from benefiting from the rapidly growing drone sector.
As of now, the Maharashtra government is yet to issue any official response to these allegations.
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