Drone Delivery Services in India: Top Companies & What It Means for eCommerce

Imagine ordering groceries, medicines, or even your favorite snacks and getting them delivered by a flying drone in under 10 minutes. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, in India, that future is already here.

In 2025, drone delivery in India is becoming a smart and eco-friendly solution for e-commerce sellers to ship products to customers faster, reduce logistics costs, and improve customer experience. 

In this guide, we’ll break down how drone-based delivery in India works, highlight real-life examples, introduce the top 10 drone delivery companies in India, and explain why it’s a must-know for your e-commerce business.

What Is Drone Delivery?

Drone delivery refers to the use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or small flying machines, often like mini helicopters, that carry packages from warehouses, hubs or dark stores to customers. Drones fly above traffic, run on electricity, and offer quick, eco-friendly last-mile logistics.

It is especially effective for deliveries under 100 km and payloads of up to 50 kg, replacing conventional delivery agents in urban and semi-urban zones. The efficiency gains are substantial, while a delivery rider typically manages 30 deliveries per day, earning about ₹800, a drone can deliver 60 orders daily, effectively doubling efficiency. Additionally, drone delivery reduces both the travel radius and carbon emissions, with aerial distances nearly half of road routes in traffic-heavy areas.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Pick-up: A last-mile hub or warehouse loads the package onto a drone.
• Flight path: The drone flies via a programmed, pre-approved air route.
• Drop-off: It descends to the delivery point and releases the package safely.
• Return: It returns to the origin station to recharge and prep for the next flight.

This is becoming increasingly popular in urban cities, due to the rapid adoption of quick commerce. And since the deliveries typically take just 5–10 minutes, significantly faster than road transport, it is ideal for quick commerce and instant delivery platforms like Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart.

Here are some of the real-life examples and use cases happening in India.

Real Examples Happening in India

1. BigBasket in Bengaluru

BigBasket has started drone delivery services, delivering groceries to a large apartment complex in Bengaluru via drones. The drones fly in from a nearby hub and drop off items like fruits, vegetables, and daily essentials within minutes. This system is not only fast but also helps avoid traffic jams.

2. Shiprocket’s Drone Pilot

Shiprocket, a popular shipping platform for online sellers, has teamed up with drone companies to offer drone delivery services in Gurugram. Sellers on Shiprocket can now choose to send their orders via drone, offering faster delivery times and happier customers.

3. Delhivery’s New Drone Division

Delhivery, one of India’s biggest logistics companies, has created a new wing focused just on building and using drones. This means they’re getting serious about using this technology for e-commerce shipments across the country.

Meet the Top Drone Delivery Companies in India (2025 Guide for E-commerce Sellers)

In India, the drone delivery ecosystem has grown faster than ever. Drones are no longer just cool flying gadgets; they’re becoming the future of fast delivery. Ecommerce brands are increasingly using drone deliveries to deliver groceries, medicines, or online orders. 

Drones are now helping e-commerce businesses deliver faster, cheaper, and smarter. Let’s explore the top companies for drone deliveries in India and how they can help your business grow.

1. TechEagle Innovations

Started by a young team in Gurgaon, TechEagle builds drones that can fly long distances, even to remote villages. That’s a big deal for businesses that want to reach customers outside big cities. Their drones are quiet, eco-friendly, and perfect for delivering e-commerce parcels, medicines, or even farming supplies.

This drone-based delivery company was founded in 2017 by IIT Kanpur alumni. TechEagle stands out with its zero carbon emissions in both urban and remote areas. The company showed its flagship product, Vertiplane X3, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2022 Drone Festival of India. Their work earned them a spot in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list of 2022.

2. Skye Air Mobility

Skye Air is like the delivery hero of the skies. It has become a key player in drone logistics for last-mile deliveries. They work with big brands like BigBasket and DTDC to help deliver online orders in minutes. Their drones use smart tech to pick the fastest route, skip traffic, and bring down delivery costs. They’ve already completed trials with top names like Dunzo, Flipkart Health+, Tata 1mg, and more. If you’re into quick commerce, they’re a game-changer.

DTDC launched drone-based deliveries through its partnership with Skye Air Mobility, giving us a peek into this promising future. Their first drone delivery covered 7.5 km in just 3-4 minutes – a distance that takes 15 minutes by road. The company plans to expand its drone delivery service to other strategic locations across India. This service promises faster deliveries and helps create eco-friendly logistics by cutting carbon emissions and traffic congestion. 

3. TSAW Drones

TSAW’s drones have shown impressive progress in drone delivery and have already made over 43,000 deliveries! They offer 2 different drone types for different needs. They’ve worked with BigBasket, Zepto, Swiggy, Tata 1mg, and even Apollo Pharmacy. That means you could be next. Their system is fast, tested, and ready for scale.

4. Redwing Labs

Based in Bangalore, Redwing Labs is a drone logistics company automating last mile logistics mainly for healthcare providers. It is helping hospitals and clinics deliver urgent medical supplies like vaccines and blood samples using drones. Their drones carry up to 10 kilograms of critical medical supplies over distances up to 100 kilometers. Their tech can also work for e-commerce, especially in tough-to-reach places. If your products need speed and safety, Redwing is one to watch.

5. Zipline India

Zipline is a global leader in drone deliveries and now they’re flying across Indian skies too. Their long-range drones can handle rough areas, such as mountains, forests, and far-off towns. That makes them perfect for delivering online orders where road delivery just doesn’t work well. With a primary focus on healthcare and e-commerce logistics, the company utilizes cutting-edge drone technology to deliver products faster and more reliably. 

How the Government Is Supporting Drone Delivery

India’s government is helping drone delivery take off by:

• Simplifying drone rules to make approvals faster and easier.
• Offering funding and incentives for drone manufacturers and logistics companies.
• Creating air routes just for drones so they can fly safely over cities.
• Encouraging trials across different states for medicine, groceries, and more.

This support is helping companies set up special landing spots called drone pods in housing societies and commercial areas so that drones can drop packages safely and smoothly.

Why E-Commerce Sellers Should Care

Drone delivery isn’t just cool, it’s a game-changer. Here’s how it helps online sellers like you:

1. Super-Fast Delivery

A trip that takes 30–40 minutes by road can be done in under 10 minutes by drone. That means faster deliveries, better customer satisfaction, and more repeat buyers.

2. Lower Delivery Costs

Drones don’t need fuel, drivers, or long travel routes. Over time, this can cut shipping costs by almost 50%.

3. More Deliveries Per Day

While a regular delivery rider might handle 30 orders a day, drones can deliver up to 60. That’s double the efficiency with no extra effort.

4. Eco-Friendly Shipping

Drones run on electricity, which means less air pollution and a smaller carbon footprint. Great for your brand image and the planet!

5. Reach Remote Areas

From crowded cities to far-off towns, drones can deliver where trucks and bikes struggle. Perfect for reaching more customers.

The Future of Drone Delivery in India

Drone delivery isn’t just coming, it’s taking off. Globally, the market is expected to hit $8 billion by 2027, growing at a staggering 41.8% CAGR. By 2026, over 1 million drones will be flying retail deliveries, up from just 20,000 today.

India is emerging as one of the world’s top drone delivery hubs, right behind the U.S. Startups like Skye Air and TechEagle are leading the way, supported by strong government policies, investor funding, and real-world partnerships with big names like BigBasket, DTDC, Dunzo, Flipkart Health+, and Tata 1mg. These companies are proving that drone delivery isn’t just a concept; it’s already working.

Drone delivery offers major advantages for ecommerce sellers. Speed is the biggest one. Skye Air’s first commercial drone delivery with DTDC covered 7.5 km in just 3–4 minutes, compared to 15 minutes by road. Drones can also help brands cut down on delivery costs. Studies show they can reduce last-mile delivery expenses by 20–30%, and total operating costs by as much as 70% compared to vehicle-based delivery.

There’s also a strong environmental case. Electric drones emit zero CO₂ during flights. On average, a drone delivery saves over 520 grams of CO₂ compared to road transport. As customers become more eco-conscious, drone delivery can be a way for brands to align with greener values and reduce their carbon footprint.

Drone operations are creating new job opportunities as well. For example, the Medicine from the Sky project in Arunachal Pradesh has trained local youth, including the state’s first female drone pilot, to manage and operate drone fleets. As drone networks expand, so will the demand for skilled jobs in logistics, maintenance, and drone operations.

Government support is helping this industry take off. The PLI Scheme, introduced in 2021, allocates ₹120 crore to boost private drone manufacturing. Drone Rules 2021 (and the 2023 amendments) simplify regulations for certification, registration, and licensing. As a result, India’s drone manufacturing is expected to grow from ₹60 crore in 2020-21 to over ₹900 crore in FY 2023-24, with the country aiming to become the third-largest drone market by 2025.

Several major platforms are already testing drone-based delivery in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Drones are now flying out of micro-warehouses and dark stores built specifically for fast dispatch. Companies like Ecom Express and Swiggy are leading the pilot programs, aiming to cut delivery time and costs while boosting customer satisfaction.

Technological advancements are further strengthening the case for drone logistics. Future drones will have higher payload capacity, better range, and smarter navigation systems. Solar-powered drones and advanced batteries will make it possible to deliver to remote areas. AI and autonomous flight systems will improve safety and reliability. Dedicated air corridors for drones are already in the works to streamline urban air mobility.

One of the most transformative technologies is BVLOS – Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. These drones can fly long distances autonomously, monitored remotely. Skye Air recently completed India’s longest BVLOS medical delivery, flying 104 km between Baruipur and Medinipur in West Bengal and cutting delivery time by 80%. This tech could dramatically lower logistics costs, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Beyond ecommerce, drones may reshape entire infrastructure needs. In the future, they could serve as flying taxis, ambulances, or even emergency responders, reducing the need for new roads and transportation systems.

For sellers, this presents a unique opportunity. As drone delivery becomes mainstream, ecommerce platforms will allow you to choose drones like any regular courier. Imagine offering your customers “Express Drone Delivery” at checkout and standing out from your competitors.

By adopting drone delivery, you can:

• Deliver faster and improve customer satisfaction
• Cut down on logistics costs
• Reduce your environmental impact
• Appeal to future-focused and eco-conscious buyers

The World Economic Forum projects that last-mile deliveries will grow by 78% by 2030 due to the ecommerce boom. With drone investments surpassing ₹421.90 billion globally in the last decade, this is not just a trend; it’s the next frontier of logistics.

That said, there are still challenges to address. Regulations for BVLOS operations, airspace management, and public safety protocols are evolving. But with growing collaboration between the government and the private sector, the momentum is strong.

In 2025, drone delivery is expected to go mainstream. If you’re an ecommerce seller on Shopify, marketplaces, or your own site, it’s the right time to start exploring drone logistics. Because soon, it won’t just be about what you sell, but how fast and sustainably you deliver it.

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