Sarvesh Sharma, a computer engineering student from an ordinary family in Himachal Pradesh, has achieved a significant milestone through his talent and technical skills. Currently in the fifth semester of his engineering diploma course at a government polytechnic, Sarvesh has received a grant of ₹3.5 crore from the Union Ministry of Defence to develop a specialized drone for the Indian Army. Sarvesh is a student at the Government Polytechnic College in Hamirpur. He will develop the indigenous ‘Rudra H-T1 (Spectra)’ drone under the Ministry of Defence’s initiatives—the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). What are the drone’s key features?
This drone is being developed specifically for surveillance in high-altitude border areas. According to Sarvesh, the plan is to design it in such a way that it becomes difficult for enemy radar to detect it and it can withstand electronic jamming. However, the final confirmation regarding these capabilities will only be possible after the drone is manufactured and tested.
Father is a daily wage laborer; educated in a government school
Sarvesh’s family hails from Bahanwi village in Hamirpur. His father, Sanjeev, is a daily wage laborer, and his mother is a homemaker. Sarvesh completed his schooling at the Government Higher Secondary School in Bahanwi. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Government Polytechnic College in Hamirpur and began studying Computer Engineering. This achievement by Sarvesh, who hails from a family with limited financial resources, is particularly significant because his project has now become part of a multi-crore rupee defense research and development program.
Initially spent ₹87,000 from his own pocket
Sarvesh’s defense project began with a national-level drone competition organized jointly by IIT Jodhpur and the Konark Corps. Around 50 teams from premier institutions across the country participated in this ‘Open Cardboard Drone’ competition. Sarvesh’s team secured the fourth position and was awarded a prize of ₹10 lakh. During the competition, Sarvesh and his team addressed surveillance-related challenges faced by security forces deployed in high-altitude border areas.
Following the competition, Sarvesh further refined his vision. He personally invested ₹87,000 to develop his initial project and proposal. Subsequently, he submitted his startup proposal under the Ministry of Defence’s individual innovation scheme.
Sarvesh has stated that his proposal has been approved, and his initial prototype has now formally become part of the defence innovation program. Honoured by the Governor of Himachal
Following the receipt of a ₹3.5 crore grant to develop a drone, Sarvesh Sharma was honoured by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday. While congratulating Sarvesh, the Governor remarked that such achievements foster the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and strengthen the nation’s efforts to develop indigenous technological capabilities in the defense sector.
Project Incubation at IIT Roorkee
The Ministry of Defence has linked Sarvesh’s project with an incubation center at IIT Roorkee. There, Sarvesh will have access to the institute’s laboratories and receive technical guidance and mentorship from experts. A timeframe of 20 months has been set for the completion of this project.
