Current Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched NIDAR 2.0 on 14 July 2026 to strengthen India's indigenous drone ecosystem and promote innovation in unmanned aerial technologies.
- NIDAR stands for National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research.
- The initiative aims to encourage the design, development and commercialization of Made-in-India drone technologies for both civilian and strategic applications.
- NIDAR 2.0 provides a platform for startups, MSMEs, students, researchers and innovators to develop next-generation drone solutions.
- The programme focuses on applications in agriculture, disaster management, healthcare, logistics, infrastructure inspection, surveillance and environmental monitoring.
- Participants will receive technical mentoring, incubation support, industry collaboration and opportunities for prototype development and testing.
- The initiative aligns with the Government's flagship programmes such as Digital India, Startup India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting self-reliance in emerging technologies.
- NIDAR 2.0 is expected to boost research and development (R&D), create high-skilled employment, strengthen India's drone manufacturing ecosystem and enhance the country's global competitiveness in drone technology.
Question:
Q1. NIDAR 2.0, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stands for:
a) National Initiative for Drone Applications and Research
b) National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research
c) National Integrated Drone Advancement and Research
d) National Innovation for Digital Aviation Research
Answer: b) NIDAR stands for National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research, launched by MeitY on 14 July 2026.
