Event Overview

DroneForge is an unmanned systems initiative under InnovFest-2026, conceived to bridge education, industry, and national priorities in drone and autonomous technologies. Aligned with national missions such as Viksit Bharat @2047, Make in India, India AI Mission, and the growing strategic importance of defence and dual-use technologies, DroneForge creates an environment of UAV excellence and innovation.

Anchored in experiential learning, the event provides a comprehensive platform where students move beyond theory to design, build, simulate, fly, analyze, and showcase real-world UAV systems. The event is structured as a multi-vertical ecosystem rather than a single competition, ensuring participation across schools, undergraduate/postgraduate students, researchers, startups, and industry professionals.

Objectives

•Promote hands-on, multidisciplinary learning by challenging students to design, build, and pilot a functional drone through a dynamic obstacle course.

•Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in aerospace, electronics, and robotics.

•Encourage innovation and problem-solving within constraints, simulating real-world engineering and mission-planning challenges.

•Cultivate precision and strategy by testing both the technical build of the drone and the real-time decision-making of the pilot and team.

•Foster teamwork and collaboration by requiring teams of 3-5 members to work cohesively across design, engineering, and operations.

•Create an inclusive competitive arena by offering Junior (school & 1st-year UG) and Senior (2nd-year onwards) categories for all skill levels.

•Identify and nurture emerging talent in drone technology, UAV design, and aerial robotics among students nationwide.

•Build a foundational experience for students interested in pursuing careers in aviation, robotics, unmanned systems, and related research fields.

Prizes

•Basic Category

First prize: 10,000 ; Second Prize: 5,000

•Advanced Category

First prize: 50,000 ; Second Prize: 25,000 ; Third Prize: 10,000

Who Can Participate?

•All Engineering branch students and school students are eligible to participate in this competition.

•Note:This event contains specific rules and regulations made available during the workshop (13th Feb - 14th Feb, 2026), which is mandatory to attend for all the registered participants.

•Category-wise Eligibility:

•Basic Category: School students and 1st-year UG students

•Advanced Category: 2nd-year UG students and above

Mode of Event

•Offline

Schedule & Timeline

•20th Feb 2026, from 9AM onwards

Key Benefits & Opportunities

•Receive mentorship from leading aviation professionals and ISRO space experts

•Immerse yourself in cutting-edge technology at our interactive drone innovation zone, showcasing the latest advancements in aerospace

•Win the prestigious DroneForge Innovation Prize of 1 Lakh and industry recognition •Network with leading drone companies such as Aeroin Space Technologies and Aviocian Technologies, showcasing advanced UAV technologies.

•Gain insights from defence experts focused on defence terminologies, skills, and operational practices.

•Earn industry-certified micro-credentials that validate your skills and boost your profile •Get an opportunity for membership and attend inauguration of Aerospace Space Club •Unlock research and collaboration pathways with industry

Registration Fees

•For Basic category – ₹ 400

•For Advanced category – ₹ 800

•Team size 3-5 members

Qualifying Rounds & Selection

SKY-SIM, Drone Pilot Workshop (13 Feb-14 Feb 2026 Hybrid Mode)

•Drone simulation workshop to train the students to fly a drone.

•To be conducted using drone simulator software's like fpv freerider or uncrashed. •Students will learn basic drone control mechanisms and get first hand training on drone piloting.

•All students (Engineering, Sciences, School) with no prior experience required Sensing the Unseen, Panel Discussion

•Discussion based on 10 problem statements.

•Students will be presenting their suggestions /case studies/ research.

•Experts from industry will be sharing industry demands and will be reviewing the presentations made by students.

•All students (Engineering, Sciences, School) with no prior experience required. NEXUS ’26, Drone Expo

•Companies, startups and research labs will be invited to setup product and stalls

•To create a platform for industry-academia interaction and showcase cutting-edge drone technology

•Providing a platform for students to interact directly with industry professionals

•CU Students will be getting a dedicated stall to showcase their project achievements and their startups.

THE HIVE, Drone Flying Competition:

•To design, build, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of a manually piloted drone through a set of manoeuvrability tasks.

Prof Ajin Branesh : + 91 754 889 8308

ajin.e8705@cumail.in

Student Team : Mr. Paritosh : +91 700 939 5639

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: What is Droneforge?

Droneforge is a drone obstacle course competition where teams design, build, and pilot their drones through a series of physical challenges.

2: Who can participate?

Students from schools and colleges can form teams of 3–5 members from the same institution.

3: Can we use a pre-built drone frame?

Yes, pre-built frames are allowed. However, you must assemble and customize the drone yourself.

4: What are the size restrictions for the drone?

The distance between opposite rotors must be between 25 cm and 50 cm.

5: Are metal propellers allowed?

No, metal propellers are strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

6. Can we share or swap drones with other teams?

No, each team must use their own model. Swapping is not allowed.

7. How many attempts do we get per hurdle?

You get up to 3 attempts per hurdle. If you fail, you must move to the next one.

8. What happens if the drone crashes?

You must restart from the last checkpoint. Each ground touch results in a –10 point penalty. 9. Can we skip an obstacle?

Yes, but you will not receive points for that hurdle.

10. How is the winner decided?

Based on a scoring formula that considers points earned, time taken, and penalties. In case of a tie, faster completion time and fewer penalties break the tie.

11. Can the rules change during the event?

Yes, the organizers reserve the right to modify rules, obstacles, scoring, or penalties at any time.

12. When will the time limit be announced?

The time limit for each round will be declared before the round begins.

13: What happens if my drone is unsafe or unstable?

Unsafe flights may lead to disqualification to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.

14: Are there prizes?

Yes, the top 3 teams will receive prizes.

15: How do we qualify for the next round?

Teams that complete all hurdles are prioritized. Tie-breakers are based on time and penalties.