India Launches NIDAR 2.0: Drone Innovation Challenge Powered by Indigenous VEGA Processor

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with Drone Federation of India (DFI), has launched NIDAR 2.0 (2026–27), the second edition of the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research. The initiative, under the SwaYaan programme, focuses on building autonomous drones powered by India’s indigenous VEGA processor, marking a major step toward self-reliance in drone technology.

The VEGA processor is India’s first fully indigenous family of high‑performance microprocessors, developed by C‑DAC under MeitY’s Digital India RISC‑V (DIR‑V) programme. It is based on the open‑source RISC‑V architecture and designed to reduce dependence on foreign chip designs while powering strategic, industrial, and commercial applications.

The first edition of NIDAR (2025–26), launched in March 2025, attracted 3,448 students from 22 States, 4 Union Territories, and 109 cities. Participants developed autonomous drone solutions for Disaster Management and Precision Agriculture. Out of 93 teams that reached the Grand Finale, 24 teams emerged winners, sharing prizes worth ₹40 lakh.

Building on this success, NIDAR 2.0 raises the bar. The focus now shifts from conventional airframes to autonomous systems, indigenous avionics, and core drone components. The challenge is structured across two distinct tracks, encouraging innovation in both drone applications and component design.

Launch Details

• Date & Venue: July 13, 2026, at Electronics Niketan, New Delhi, in hybrid mode.
• Organizers: MeitY and DFI under the SwaYaan initiative.
• Key Officials: Shri S. Krishnan (Secretary, MeitY), Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha (Additional Secretary, MeitY & CEO, India Semiconductor Mission), Smt. Tulika Pandey (Scientist G, MeitY), Shri Smit Shah (President, DFI).
• Participants: Students, faculty, government representatives, industry leaders, and officials from Civil Aviation, Defence, Home Affairs, DGCA, and armed forces.

Objectives of NIDAR 2.0

• From flying drones to building the drone’s brain: Focus on autonomous systems and indigenous avionics.
• Powered by VEGA processor: Developed under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) programme, reducing dependence on foreign chip designs.
• Prize pool: Over ₹65 lakh, plus internships, incubation support, and cloud credits.
• Tracks:
  • Track 1 – Drone Innovation: Autonomous swarm drones for disaster relief and GPS-denied drones for industrial inspection.
  • Track 2 – Component Innovation: Indigenous flight controllers and autopilots built around VEGA processors.

NIDAR 1.0 vs NIDAR 2.0

NIDAR 2025-26	NIDAR 2.0 (2026-27)
3,448 students from 22 States, 4 UTs, 109 cities	Expanded scope with focus on indigenous avionics
Themes: Disaster Management & Precision Agriculture	Themes: Swarm drones, GPS-denied navigation, VEGA-based autopilot
93 teams reached Grand Finale	Top 100 teams to receive VEGA kits
₹40 lakh prize pool	₹65+ lakh prize pool + internships & incubation

Strategic Significance

• Self-Reliance: Embedding VEGA processors in drones strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Civilian & Defence Applications: Shared core technologies benefit both sectors.
• Capacity Building: SwaYaan initiative has already trained over 51,000 people in drone technologies.
• Global Positioning: Positions India as a hub for drone innovation, reducing reliance on imported avionics.

Challenges Ahead

• Scaling indigenous chip adoption: Ensuring VEGA processors match global performance standards.
• Industry integration: Moving prototypes into commercial production requires strong incubation and funding.
• Global competition: India must balance innovation with international regulatory frameworks for drones.

Conclusion

NIDAR 2.0 represents a transformative leap in India’s drone ecosystem, shifting focus from airframes to autonomous intelligence and indigenous components. By centering innovation around the VEGA processor, MeitY and DFI are laying the foundation for a self-reliant drone industry that can serve both civilian and defence needs, aligning with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047.