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BHU-MANACHITRA: NIT Rourkela Patents AI Drone for Real-Time Land Mapping

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Pradipta V Mukherjee

November 20, 2025

On November 20, 2025

A patent for “BHU-MANACHITRA,” an autonomous real-time land mapping drone system that combines cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology with artificial intelligence (AI), has been obtained by researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela. Officials claim that the invention represents a breakthrough in India’s geospatial capabilities since it can produce precise land maps without the need for external computers, internet access, or human intervention.

As the foundation for resource management, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring, land mapping is essential for identifying farmlands, forests, vegetation, and urban areas. This procedure frequently uses labor-intensive manual surveys in India, which can take weeks or even months to complete and still yield inconsistent results.

Although drones have recently been used for terrain imaging, the data they collect usually needs to be processed in a lab. The maps’ usefulness is frequently limited by this delay, particularly in situations that change quickly. Dr. Sambit Bakshi, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at NIT Rourkela, explained the problem by saying that global deep-learning models have trouble correctly identifying roads, buildings, or vegetation in crowded scenes, which leads to erratic real-time mapping output.

The NIT Rourkela team created a lightweight deep-learning model that allows drones to instantly recognize land features while in flight in order to get around these restrictions. BHU-MANACHITRA is self-sufficient and very helpful in remote areas, disaster-affected areas, or places with poor connectivity, in contrast to traditional drones that only gather images for later analysis.

The innovation can be used in many different government agencies. Initiatives under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), urban planning, smart city development, and land record modernization can all benefit from it. The system can quickly evaluate crop health, soil conditions, and irrigation requirements in agriculture, enhancing productivity and sustainability.

The drone can instantly provide terrain intelligence during natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, and floods, allowing for a more rapid and accurate emergency response. The system can also be used by forest and environmental departments to track changes in biodiversity, identify encroachments, and monitor deforestation.

BHU-MANACHITRA’s AI model is small enough to run on lightweight processors that drones can carry, with only 2.48 million parameters. According to Dr. Bakshi, this efficiency is essential because UAVs are unable to process images in real time due to heavy hardware.

Bakshi added that the innovation could change field operations and decision-making across sectors, calling it a significant step toward more intelligent governance and national resilience. BHU-MANACHITRA promises to improve resource management, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness throughout India with its adaptability and speed.

Pradipta V Mukherjee

CEO, Mavdrones

Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.