Bengaluru, India – In a major boost to India’s ambitions in urban air mobility, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted Design Organisation Approval (DOA) to Bengaluru-based startup Sarla Aviation, paving the way for the country’s first indigenous electric air taxi to take to the skies by 2028 .
The approval, handed over by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu at the inauguration of Sarla Aviation’s new headquarters, marks a pivotal regulatory milestone for the company and the nation’s aerospace sector . The DOA is a formal recognition under CAR 21 Subpart J, certifying that an organisation has the design capabilities, robust procedures, and independent checking systems required to develop aircraft to certified standards .
A Leap Towards “Make in India” in the Skies
With the DOA in place, Sarla Aviation can now formally advance its designs towards type certification with the DGCA, a critical step before commercial production can begin . This regulatory progress underscores India’s intent to build an indigenous ecosystem for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, moving beyond traditional aviation manufacturing.
“India deserves an aerospace company that builds fully indigenous systems to transport people—something the country has never had,” said Adrian Schmidt, Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation . “With electric propulsion, we can finally indigenise the entire supply chain, the manufacturing and the IP ownership, right here in India.”
The eVTOL Vision: Beating Bengaluru’s Traffic
The Sarla Aviation aircraft, named Shunya, is designed to carry six passengers along with a pilot . It combines elements of a drone, helicopter, and conventional aircraft, falling into a new regulator-classified category known as “powered-lift” . The propulsion system features seven electric motors—six providing vertical lift and one at the rear for forward thrust .
Minister Naidu highlighted the urgent need for such technology in India’s congested metropolises, stating that eVTOL aircraft could reduce airport-to-city travel times to just 20-30 minutes from the current 1.5 to 2 hours in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi .
A 2028 Target with Strong Backing
The minister expressed confidence in the timeline, stating, “By 2028, we want to see these machines fly in India.” He expects Sarla Aviation to move fully into the testing phase by 2027, with the company having already completed over 500 flight tests on its half-scale demonstrator, Sylla .
Sarla Aviation’s mission is backed by significant investor confidence, including support from venture capital firm Accel and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, as well as Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal and IndiGo Ventures . To accelerate development, the company has partnered with Siemens to use its Xcelerator portfolio of digital industry software to manage the complex design and simulation requirements of the aircraft .
Beyond Passenger Travel: Medical and Cargo Applications
While urban commuting is the primary focus, the minister noted that the technology has vast potential in medical evacuation (air ambulances), cargo transport, and disaster relief . Sarla Aviation has already signed agreements with Manipal Hospitals and Bangalore International Airport to explore these avenues .
Affordability and Export Potential
Addressing concerns about cost, Minister Naidu emphasized that affordability is as crucial as safety. He stressed that local manufacturing would be key to reducing costs, with most parts—excluding avionics—being manufactured in India . He also envisioned a future where India could become an export hub for domestically manufactured eVTOL aircraft .
The DGCA’s approval for Sarla Aviation signals a significant inflection point, not just for a single startup, but for the entire vision of India’s Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem, positioning the country as a potential global player in the future of sustainable urban transportation.