Bengaluru Startup Okulo Aerospace Secures DGCA Type Certification for Solar-Electric UAV
Bengaluru: In a significant boost to India’s sustainable aviation ambitions, Bengaluru-based startup Okulo Aerospace has received Type Certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its solar-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), SUVI.
The certification marks a major regulatory milestone, making SUVI one of the few indigenously developed drones in the country to be officially approved for operations. Powered primarily by sunlight, the UAV represents a new generation of quiet, low-emission, and energy-efficient aerial systems, aligning with India’s broader clean-energy and innovation goals.
According to the company, SUVI has been designed for extended endurance and reduced environmental impact, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fuel-based UAVs. Its solar-electric propulsion enables longer flight durations while significantly lowering noise levels, making it suitable for applications such as surveillance, mapping, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.
Industry experts view the DGCA approval as a strong validation of India’s growing capabilities in advanced aerospace engineering and green technology. The achievement also underscores the role of startups in driving innovation within the country’s rapidly expanding drone ecosystem.
The certification comes at a time when India is actively promoting clean energy, indigenous manufacturing, and high-technology entrepreneurship under initiatives such as Startup India and Digital India. Developments like SUVI highlight how sustainable technology is increasingly becoming part of everyday commercial and industrial use.
With regulatory clearance now in place, Okulo Aerospace is expected to move toward wider deployment of its solar-powered UAV, contributing to the vision of smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable Indian skies.
