UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program – SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3)

UDAAN — which stands for UAV/UAS/Drone Acceleration and Networking — is a joint acceleration initiative run by three partners: the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, the Centre of Excellence for UAVs (a Government of Uttar Pradesh and IIT Kanpur initiative), and the Drone Federation of India. The program is designed for high-potential drone startups that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready to commercialise their products.

Each year, two cohorts of 20 startups are selected and incubated on the IIT Kanpur campus. Participants gain access to world-class testing facilities at the Drone CoE, which include the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, the Flight Laboratory, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility. The six most promising ventures in every cohort are awarded ₹3 lakh per annum each as a fellowship to sustain their R&D work.

Beyond infrastructure and funding, UDAAN offers deep technical mentorship from IIT Kanpur faculty and UAV experts. It provides structured support across product development, securing regulatory approvals and certifications, and navigating government funding avenues such as iDEX, TDF, TIDE, Genesis, TDB, and Make-1 & 2 programs. The program concludes with a demo day where startups pitch to angel investors, venture capitalists, defence buyers, and industry leaders. Post-program, startups can continue to use physical incubation space at SIIC for further growth.

• Open to DPIIT-registered drone Pvt Ltd startups across India.
• Annual turnover must not exceed ₹3 crore; MVP-stage product required.
• Top 6 startups receive ₹3 lakh per annum fellowship each.
• Access to Drone CoE labs: Helicopter & VTOL Lab, Flight Lab, National Wind Tunnel Facility.
• Guidance on government schemes: iDEX, TDF, TIDE, Genesis, TDB, Make-1 & 2.

To apply for UDAAN, your startup must be registered as a Private Limited company and hold DPIIT recognition — this is mandatory. The business must operate within the UAV/drone sector, whether you're focused on product development, testing, design verification, or technical consultancy. The company's annual turnover cannot exceed ₹3 crore. There is no state-wise restriction; startups from anywhere in India may apply. Your product should be at least at the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage — early-stage ideas without a working prototype may not be considered.

UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program – SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program – SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) closed on 25 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Up to six startups in every cohort receive a fellowship of ₹3 lakh per annum each to support sustained R&D. In addition, all selected startups get the following benefits:

• Incubation at SIIC IIT Kanpur on campus.
• Hands-on access to advanced drone testing infrastructure: the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and National Wind Tunnel Facility.
• Technical mentorship from IIT Kanpur faculty and domain experts in UAV technology.
• Guidance on product development, regulatory clearance, and certification.
• Assistance in applying for government funding schemes such as iDEX, TDF, TIDE, Genesis, TDB, and Make-1 & 2.
• Networking and pitch opportunities during the demo day, connecting with angel investors, VCs, and defence/industry stakeholders.
• Continued access to physical incubation space at SIIC after the program ends.

UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program – SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) is offered by SIIC IIT Kanpur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by SIIC IIT Kanpur as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are submitted through the SIIC connect portal. The process begins with an initial screening that checks for eligibility criteria — particularly DPIIT registration, sector fit, and the turnover cap. Shortlisted startups are then evaluated on their product readiness, innovation merits, and ability to scale. Finally, the most promising applicants are selected and onboarded into the cohort at SIIC IIT Kanpur.

Before you apply to UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program – SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3), keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.