At its SurTech Campus in Dum Dum, Kolkata, JIS Group opened the JIS Drone Academy-RPTO, the first and largest university-based, DGCA-authorized Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) and UAV ecosystem enabler in West Bengal.

The academy was inaugurated by eminent dignitaries like Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group, Smt. Mahua B. Adhikary, General Manager (Air Traffic Management), Eastern Region, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Kolkata, Shri. Suman Chandra Halder, Joint GM (ATM), AAI, Kolkata, Shri. Goutam Roy, Joint GM (ATM), AAI, Shri. Sangam Kumar Chaturvedi, Team Lead, C-DAC, Government of India, Smt. Anindita Ganguly, Director of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal, Shri. Bikram Kumar Das, Regional Head (East), National Skill Development Corporation, and Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group.

This milestone signifies the opening of the largest and first university-based Remote Pilot Training Centre in the state that is authorized by the DGCA and offers DGCA-aligned Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) programs for drones in the Micro and Small categories. The academy serves as a comprehensive center for advanced drone training, certification, industry collaboration, and research to create a workforce of qualified drone professionals.

The academy will use a hybrid training model that combines classroom instruction, practical flight training, and industry-oriented learning with industry collaboration with EduRade and Megh Robotics. It will be outfitted with cutting-edge simulation systems, professional-grade drones, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

In addition to the DGCA Authorized Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), the JIS Drone Academy will provide specialized training in drone surveying and mapping, drone repair and maintenance, drone forensics, drone design and fabrication, GIS data processing, and aeromodeling. These programs are made to support quickly growing applications in a variety of industries, including media, agriculture, infrastructure, aerial surveying, mapping, surveillance, disaster management, and logistics.

Live demonstrations of UAV applications and student-built, customized drones were also featured at the inauguration event, underscoring the academy’s emphasis on hands-on, real-world training.

In an effort to prepare the next generation for unmanned aviation, JIS Drone Academy is a great initiative.

Priyanka Dutta