Indian startups can redefine how we fly, says aviation minister Rammohan Naidu

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Indian startups can redefine how we fly, says aviation minister Rammohan Naidu after meeting indigenous eVTOL makerET OnlineLast Updated: Oct 27, 2026, 10:04:00 AM ISTSynopsis

India's aviation landscape is set to soar with the introduction of eVTOL aircraft developed by Nalwa Aero, based in Punjab. This cutting-edge electric transport system will facilitate air taxis, streamline medical evacuations, and enhance cargo delivery. Early flight trials have delivered encouraging outcomes, leading to regulatory movements from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

India's aviation sector could see new possibilities as domestic startups work on electric aircraft designed to take off and land vertically. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has expressed encouragement for one such effort by Punjab-based Nalwa Aero, which has reported successful preliminary flight tests of its experimental aircraft. The company's work centres on an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that uses an unconventional box-wing design and tilting rotors. The technology could eventually find applications in air taxis, medical evacuations, cargo transport and defence, although the aircraft will need further testing and regulatory approvals before commercial use.

— RamMNK (@RamMNK)

Nalwa Aero's founder and CEO, Kuljeet Singh Sandhu, and chief technology officer Nelson Salas met the minister to present the company's progress and flight-testing results.

What makes Nalwa Aero's aircraft different?

Unlike conventional aircraft, eVTOLs are designed to take off and land vertically, potentially reducing their dependence on traditional runways. Such aircraft are being developed worldwide for future urban air mobility services, including short-distance passenger journeys.

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Nalwa Aero is combining electric propulsion with a box-wing aerodynamic configuration and tilting-rotor technology. Its design draws inspiration from aerodynamic principles explored by German scientist Ludwig Prandtl more than a century ago.

The company said its scaled aircraft successfully demonstrated low-altitude hovering and forward flight during preliminary tests. These trials mark an early step towards evaluating whether the design can work in practical aviation applications.

When will India's flying taxis become a reality?

Nalwa Aero is developing a five-seat eVTOL aircraft intended for several uses, including air taxis, air ambulances, tourism, cargo transportation and defence operations.

The company received Design Organisation Approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in June 2025 for eVTOL aircraft in the five-seat-and-above category. Its type-certification application was accepted in January 2026, according to the company.

These regulatory steps are part of the aircraft development process. They do not mean that the proposed five-seat aircraft has received final certification or is ready to carry passengers. The timeline for commercial operations will depend on further development, testing and regulatory clearances.

India's push for indigenous aviation technology

Nalwa Aero says it wants to develop aircraft technology in India for both domestic and international markets. Globally, eVTOL developers are exploring ways to introduce new forms of short-distance air travel. However, challenges remain, including aircraft certification, battery performance, operating costs, safety requirements and the infrastructure needed to support regular services.

For India, the technology could eventually offer new options for emergency medical transport and connectivity between locations where conventional transport is time-consuming.
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