India has formally launched the development of the Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft, marking a major stride in indigenous aerospace innovation and clean energy aviation. The announcement was made by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, during a high-level monthly review meeting at the Science Centre in Delhi.

Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru, the aircraft is expected to cost around Rs 200 million, nearly half the price of imported counterparts. It forms part of the broader HANSA-3 NG programme aimed at creating cost-effective, locally built training aircraft.

E-Hansa is envisioned as a cornerstone of India’s green aviation roadmap, helping reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Dr Singh highlighted its potential as a clean energy solution and a vital step towards self-reliance in aerospace technology.

During the meeting, Dr Singh emphasised the importance of commercialising indigenous technologies and called for enhanced public-private partnerships. He instructed the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) to adopt models similar to DBT-BIRAC and IN-SPACe to facilitate tech transfer and private sector collaboration.

He also underscored the need for AI-driven technology and IP platforms, along with regional National Technology Transfer Offices (NTTOs), to widen access and integration. “Private players should not just be knowledge partners but investment partners,” he stated, advocating a hub-and-spoke PPP model.

Dr Singh praised ISRO for its successful SPADEX docking mission, describing it as pivotal to the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight. He also acknowledged the organisation’s role in Operation Sindoor and its collaborations with 40 Union Ministries and 28 State Governments.

Highlighting India’s growing international stature, Dr Singh noted that Group Captain Subhash Shukla will conduct seven microgravity experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Space Mission, enhancing India’s space science credentials.

He reiterated the ‘Whole-of-Science’ and ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision. Following the success of a recent Chintan Shivir in Chennai, Dr Singh announced plans for region-wise science conclaves involving key departments such as DST, DBT, CSIR, ISRO, Earth Sciences, and Atomic Energy.

Plans are also underway to launch a Global Science Talent Bridge, attracting top international researchers and innovators to bolster India’s biomanufacturing and research landscape.

He further confirmed that all 37 CSIR labs opened to students under the Mann Ki Baat initiative have seen overwhelming interest, though temporarily paused for security reasons.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor; Dr N. Kalaiselvi, DG-CSIR; Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman ISRO; and secretaries of major science departments including DST, DBT, and Earth Sciences, among others.