The Indian digital economy seems to be at something of a turning point. On one hand, there’s Flipkart, the e-commerce giant that’s now stepping into fintech with real intent. On the other, the country’s drone technology sector is quietly gaining altitude, quite literally. These two tracks might look unrelated at first glance, but both hint at a broader shift towards a more tech-driven, integrated future.
Flipkart’s Strategic Entry into Direct Lending
In a move that could subtly upend how financial services work within India’s fast-growing e-commerce ecosystem, Walmart-backed Flipkart has secured a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This licence, granted to Flipkart Finance Private Limited in March 2025, is more than just a regulatory checkbox—it signals a deeper pivot in the company’s financial playbook. For the first time, Flipkart will be able to lend directly, not just to its millions of customers but also to its sprawling network of sellers.
Until now, e-commerce platforms have mostly leaned on traditional banks and NBFCs to offer loans. Flipkart, for instance, had been working with Axis Bank, IDFC First Bank, and Credit Saison to extend credit. That model made sense. But owning the lending arm changes the game. It lets Flipkart keep more of the revenue, yes—but perhaps more importantly, it gives the company control over the entire lending experience. That means quicker approvals, better-tailored products, and fewer frictions along the way.
If things go according to plan, Flipkart’s direct lending operations will launch within a few months. These services will roll out across its main e-commerce platform and also through its fintech app, Super.Money. The app, which quietly debuted in beta in late 2024, has already made waves. By February 2025, it had climbed to become the fifth-largest UPI player in the country. Now, with an NBFC licence in hand, Super.Money can stretch its ambitions beyond payments into the broader credit space—and eventually, perhaps, into wealth and insurance offerings too.
Strategically, this move could also support Flipkart’s longer-term goals. Valued at $37 billion as of 2024, Flipkart is inching toward a public listing. And bringing financial services in-house helps tidy up the narrative for investors. There’s also an ongoing shift to relocate its holding company from Singapore to India, aligning more tightly with local rules and market realities.
It’s a crowded arena, though. Amazon, Flipkart’s fiercest rival, is also eyeing the financial services pie. It’s waiting for regulatory nods to finalize its acquisition of Bengaluru-based non-bank lender Axio. Still, Flipkart may have a leg up here. With reams of user data at its fingertips, it could streamline credit underwriting and risk profiling in a way few others can.
India’s Drone Technology Soars to New Heights
While Flipkart pushes into fintech, something equally transformative is happening above ground—literally. India’s drone technology sector has been gaining both altitude and attention. The country has set its sights high, with an ambition to become a global “drone superpower” by 2030. That goal isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s backed by tangible government policies and a clear appetite for drone-driven solutions across sectors.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) remains at the heart of this shift, overseeing operations under the Drone Rules, 2021—now updated for 2025. These rules are designed to thread the needle between innovation and safety. Drones must be registered on the Digital Sky Platform. Flying in controlled airspace? You’ll need digital clearance under the “No Permission, No Takeoff” (NPNT) framework. Operators using drones over 2 kilograms must obtain a Remote Pilot License (RPL). There are also strict rules about altitude limits, visual line-of-sight, and no-fly zones—especially near sensitive installations.
The numbers tell their own story. India’s drone market, pegged at $654 million in 2024, is projected to more than double to $1.43 billion by 2029. That’s a healthy 17% CAGR. The drivers? A blend of demand in agriculture, logistics, defense, and infrastructure, backed by initiatives like “Make in India” and a ₹57 crore PLI scheme aimed squarely at drone manufacturing.
Here’s a snapshot of what drones are already doing:
- Agriculture: With multispectral sensors, drones can map crop health and soil conditions, helping farmers boost yields. This segment alone could jump from $145.4 million in 2024 to over $631 million by 2030. Programs like “Drone Didi Yojana” are also bringing rural women into the fold by offering drone training.
- Logistics: This is a space to watch. With a projected CAGR of 44.2% through 2029, drones could soon be central to how goods move across cities and remote regions.
- Infrastructure: From surveying to site monitoring, drones are already helping reduce costs and improve safety.
- Defense: India’s armed forces have long used drones, but the focus is now on building domestic capabilities. There’s talk of $470 million in UAV investments over the next year or two.
- Disaster Management: When calamities strike, drones can offer quick, real-time data to guide emergency responses.
- Environmental Monitoring: From tracking wildlife to monitoring illegal logging or poaching, drones are becoming key tools in conservation.
The ecosystem is expanding fast. Startups like ideaForge, NewSpace Research, and Garuda Aerospace are scaling up. And established players—Adani, Tata—are also deepening their bets. With more government R&D funding and faster procurement cycles, things are likely to accelerate further.
Taken together, Flipkart’s lending leap and the drone sector’s rise reflect something bigger: a decisive phase of digital maturity. These shifts might not make headlines every day, but they’re quietly rewriting the script on what India’s tech landscape can become.
