IAF Opens Registration for Mehar Baba Competition-3 to Boost Drone Innovation

The Indian Air Force has officially announced the commencement of registrations for the Mehar Baba Competition-3 (MBC-3), continuing its push to strengthen indigenous innovation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drone technology.

The competition, named after spiritual leader Meher Baba, is part of the IAF’s broader initiative to encourage self-reliance in defence technologies under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. It aims to provide a platform for startups, innovators, students, and research institutions to showcase cutting-edge drone solutions tailored to military requirements.

The third edition of the competition will focus on advanced drone capabilities, including surveillance, payload delivery, and operational efficiency in challenging environments. Participants will be evaluated based on performance, innovation, and the practical applicability of their solutions in real-world defence scenarios.

Over the past editions, the Mehar Baba Competition has seen strong participation from emerging tech startups and academic teams, many of which have gone on to contribute to India’s growing defence ecosystem. With MBC-3, the IAF is looking to further deepen collaboration between the armed forces and the civilian tech community.

Interested applicants can register through the official portal, with detailed guidelines and evaluation criteria provided by the IAF. The competition is expected to not only foster innovation but also accelerate the development of next-generation drone technologies in India.

This initiative reflects the Indian Air Force’s commitment to modernization and its proactive approach in leveraging homegrown solutions to meet evolving security challenges.