India has added 34% more drone start-ups since new August guidelines

Average funding of top 10 start-ups has increased 10 per cent to $5.6 million

On February 9, the director-general of foreign trade notified a ban on the import of drones with immediate effect.

"Import policy of drones in CBU (completely built-up)/CKD (completely knocked down)/SKD (semi-knocked down) form under HS Code 8806 is "Prohibited' with exceptions provided for R&D Defence and Security purposes. Import of drone components shall be "Free". This shall come into force with immediate effect," the notification stated.

While the government had notified a preference for made-in-India drones in the Drone Rules published in August last year, the latest announcement further solidifies its stand.

In the August rules, the government had said that it shall