Ramesh Sharma is first certified drone instructor of Rajasthan Police

JAIPUR: In a first for the Rajasthan Police, Ramesh Sharma, posted at the Intelligence Training Academy (ITA) in Jaipur, became the force's first certified drone instructor. The police aim to strengthen technical capabilities by establishing a drone research centre and forensic lab at the ITA.Sharma cleared the Remote Pilot Instructor Course conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Govt of India, in New Delhi on his first attempt. Officials noted the significance of this feat, citing the course's low pass rate of just 22%.The initiative was led by Director General (Intelligence) Sanjay Agrawal in view of increasing drone activity along Rajasthan's international borders and also because of the ongoing plans to strengthen technical capabilities by establishing a drone research centre and forensic lab at the ITA. Sharma, who also heads the IT cell at the academy, was selected for the specialised training programme in New Delhi.According to police officials, the DGCA's Remote Pilot Instructor Course is mandatory for those who wish to train other drone operators. Additional SP Shalini Saxena of the ITA said that the course equips instructors to work at certified Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs), allowing them to legally train drone pilots in line with DGCA norms. Sharma's appointment is seen as a milestone in enhancing the force's in-house technical proficiency.