In a major leap toward sustainable aviation, India has begun the development of its first electric two-seater trainer aircraft—E-Hansa—heralding a new era in indigenous aerospace innovation. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the initiative on Tuesday, calling it a “matter of national pride.”
Crafted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) through its National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru, the E-Hansa is poised to revolutionize pilot training with a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to imported aircraft. Priced at approximately ₹2 crore, the aircraft is significantly more economical than its foreign counterparts.
The E-Hansa is an extension of the HANSA-3 (Next Generation) programme, India’s ambitious project to develop homegrown trainer aircraft. The new electric variant aligns with the country’s broader green aviation goals, aiming to integrate clean energy into domestic aviation solutions.
“This initiative is a crucial step toward reducing carbon emissions in Indian aviation while also reinforcing our commitment to ‘Make in India’ and self-reliance in technology,” Dr. Singh stated during a high-level review with science department secretaries.
The meeting also delved into transformative reforms for India’s science and technology ecosystem, with an emphasis on performance metrics, policy implementation, and strategic direction. Stressing the need for commercialisation of indigenous technology, Dr. Singh called for stronger public-private partnerships (PPP) and urged the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) to adopt successful frameworks like DBT-BIRAC and IN-SPACe for effective tech transfers.
He further emphasized the importance of creating standardised technology transfer protocols, easing regulatory hurdles, and enhancing India’s global scientific footprint under the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family.
Lauding ISRO’s recent success with the SPADEX mission, Dr. Singh highlighted the significance of the docking and undocking capabilities for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. He also praised ISRO’s instrumental role in Operation Sindoor, affirming national pride in its achievements.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh revealed India’s increasing collaboration with global space entities, notably with Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to represent India aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting seven microgravity experiments—a milestone that will further elevate India’s profile in space research and innovation.
As India forges ahead in green aviation and space exploration, the E-Hansa stands as a powerful symbol of the country’s ability to engineer the future—sustainably, independently, and ambitiously.
