Himachal Polytechnic Student Wins ₹3.5 Crore Defence Grant for Indigenous Military Drone
SHIMLA — In a major breakthrough for indigenous defence innovation, Sarvesh Sharma, a polytechnic student from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, has secured a ₹3.5 crore development grant from the Ministry of Defence to engineer an advanced tactical drone for the Indian Army.
The project, designated ‘Rudra Edge T-1 (Spectra)’, marks a significant milestone for grassroots engineering talent in India’s high-tech defence sector.
Sharma, currently enrolled at Government Polytechnic Hamirpur, designed the unmanned aerial system to meet the specialized operational demands of modern military forces.
Recognizing the rare feat, Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta formally felicitated the young innovator in Shimla on Wednesday.
A Boost for Indigenization and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'
During an interactive session, Governor Gupta discussed the drone's technical specifications, design hurdles, and long-term roadmap with Sharma, commending his technical vision, perseverance, and contribution to national security.
"This initiative reflects the untapped talent, innovative spirit, and technological potential thriving among the youth of Himachal Pradesh," Governor Gupta said, noting that homegrown projects like the Rudra Edge T-1 provide critical momentum to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative by reducing reliance on foreign defence imports.
Addressing the broader youth community, the Governor urged students across the state to look beyond conventional job-seeking and pursue research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
He emphasized that building high-impact tech enterprises is essential to realizing the vision of a developed, self-reliant India.
High-Profile Recognition
The felicitation ceremony was attended by senior administrative officials, including Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore and Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh, who joined the Governor in extending their support for Sharma’s ongoing development phase with the Indian Army.
With the ₹3.5 crore grant secured, Sharma will advance the Rudra Edge T-1 (Spectra) through rigorous field evaluations, technical scaling, and operational testing tailored to the Army's tactical requirements.
