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12 Women from MITE Earn DGCA Remote Pilot Certification, Boosting Career Prospects
In a recent development that highlights the growing participation of women in India’s aviation sector, twelve students from the Mangalore Institute of Technology (MITE) have successfully completed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) remote pilot certification. The achievement was announced by Dr Manjunath SV, head of MITE’s Department of Aeronautical Engineering, who emphasized that the certification is a career‑enabling credential rather than merely an additional qualification.
The DGCA remote pilot certification is a mandatory qualification for anyone who wishes to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commercially in India. The certification, which is valid for ten years, is issued under the Drone Rules 2021 and is required for drones weighing up to 25 kg. The training that the MITE students completed followed the DGCA’s approved curriculum, which includes theoretical instruction on aviation regulations, airspace management, and safety procedures, as well as practical flight sessions.
MITE, a private engineering institute located in Karnataka, has a long history of offering aerospace and aeronautical programs. The Department of Aeronautical Engineering has previously hosted workshops and training sessions in collaboration with industry partners. The recent remote pilot course was conducted on campus, with students receiving instruction from certified instructors who are themselves licensed drone pilots.
According to Dr Manjunath SV, the certification provides students with a “long‑term professional advantage.” He added that the credential opens doors to a range of employment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, construction, surveying, and media production. “The certification is not merely an additional qualification but a career‑enabling credential,” he said.
The completion of the course by twelve women students is significant in the context of the broader push to increase female representation in STEM fields in India. While the aviation industry has traditionally been male‑dominated, initiatives such as this training program are part of a larger effort to diversify the workforce. The DGCA has reported a steady rise in the number of remote pilot certificates issued in recent years, reflecting the rapid expansion of the drone market.
Industry analysts note that the demand for certified drone operators is expected to grow as the use of UAVs expands in commercial applications. In 2026, construction drone operators in the United States earned between $50,000 and $95,000 annually, with specialists in LiDAR mapping and photogrammetry earning over $100,000. While the Indian market has different salary scales, the certification is a prerequisite for participation in many of these emerging roles.
The DGCA’s remote pilot certification is part of a broader regulatory framework that includes the need for a medical certificate and adherence to airspace rules. The certification process also involves a practical assessment that tests the candidate’s ability to navigate and control a drone safely in various scenarios.
MITE’s aeronautical department has expressed its intention to continue offering drone pilot training in the future. The institute plans to expand the program to include medium‑class drones (25–50 kg) and to incorporate advanced topics such as autonomous flight and data analytics.
The certification of the twelve women students marks a milestone for MITE and for the broader Indian aviation community. It demonstrates the effectiveness of DGCA‑approved training programs in equipping students with the skills required for the evolving drone industry.
The DGCA has not announced any immediate changes to the certification process, and the current validity period of ten years remains in effect. The MITE students are now eligible to apply for commercial drone operations across India, subject to the standard regulatory approvals.
The certification achievement underscores the importance of formal training and regulatory compliance in the rapidly expanding UAV sector and highlights the growing role of women in India’s aviation and technology workforce.
The DGCA remote pilot certification is a mandatory qualification for anyone who wishes to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commercially in India. The certification, which is valid for ten years, is issued under the Drone Rules 2021 and is required for drones weighing up to 25 kg. The training that the MITE students completed followed the DGCA’s approved curriculum, which includes theoretical instruction on aviation regulations, airspace management, and safety procedures, as well as practical flight sessions.
MITE, a private engineering institute located in Karnataka, has a long history of offering aerospace and aeronautical programs. The Department of Aeronautical Engineering has previously hosted workshops and training sessions in collaboration with industry partners. The recent remote pilot course was conducted on campus, with students receiving instruction from certified instructors who are themselves licensed drone pilots.
According to Dr Manjunath SV, the certification provides students with a “long‑term professional advantage.” He added that the credential opens doors to a range of employment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, construction, surveying, and media production. “The certification is not merely an additional qualification but a career‑enabling credential,” he said.
The completion of the course by twelve women students is significant in the context of the broader push to increase female representation in STEM fields in India. While the aviation industry has traditionally been male‑dominated, initiatives such as this training program are part of a larger effort to diversify the workforce. The DGCA has reported a steady rise in the number of remote pilot certificates issued in recent years, reflecting the rapid expansion of the drone market.
Industry analysts note that the demand for certified drone operators is expected to grow as the use of UAVs expands in commercial applications. In 2026, construction drone operators in the United States earned between $50,000 and $95,000 annually, with specialists in LiDAR mapping and photogrammetry earning over $100,000. While the Indian market has different salary scales, the certification is a prerequisite for participation in many of these emerging roles.
The DGCA’s remote pilot certification is part of a broader regulatory framework that includes the need for a medical certificate and adherence to airspace rules. The certification process also involves a practical assessment that tests the candidate’s ability to navigate and control a drone safely in various scenarios.
MITE’s aeronautical department has expressed its intention to continue offering drone pilot training in the future. The institute plans to expand the program to include medium‑class drones (25–50 kg) and to incorporate advanced topics such as autonomous flight and data analytics.
The certification of the twelve women students marks a milestone for MITE and for the broader Indian aviation community. It demonstrates the effectiveness of DGCA‑approved training programs in equipping students with the skills required for the evolving drone industry.
The DGCA has not announced any immediate changes to the certification process, and the current validity period of ten years remains in effect. The MITE students are now eligible to apply for commercial drone operations across India, subject to the standard regulatory approvals.
The certification achievement underscores the importance of formal training and regulatory compliance in the rapidly expanding UAV sector and highlights the growing role of women in India’s aviation and technology workforce.
