📰 Daily Current Affairs | 24 June 2026

ePlane Company Targets Commercial Production by 2028

IIT Madras-incubated startup completes e200X eVTOL prototype, targets 80 aircraft/year

The ePlane Company, incubated at IIT Madras, has completed assembly of its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200X prototype (PT-01), in Chennai. The prototype has entered the ground testing phase, and the company has set commercial production for 2028 with an initial output of 80 aircraft a year.

✈️ eVTOL Aircraft

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, use electric propulsion and can take off and land vertically. The e200X is designed as a multi-role platform for air ambulance services, air taxi operations, and urban cargo transport.

📋 Certification and Production Plan

The company aims to secure certification for the air ambulance variant in the early second half of 2027 through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air taxi and cargo versions are planned for certification before the end of 2027, followed by international validation.

💰 Commercial Deal and Funding

In February 2025, the company signed a deal valued at over USD 1 billion to supply 788 air ambulances to ICATT. Deliveries are expected between 2027 and 2028. The company was planning a Series C funding round of USD 40 to 50 million and has raised approximately USD 21 million for its eVTOL programme.

⭐ Important Facts for Exams

  • IIT Madras is one of India's premier engineering institutions and has incubated several technology start-ups.
  • DGCA stands for Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which regulates civil aviation in India.
  • eVTOL is a category of aircraft associated with urban air mobility and short-range transport.
  • ICATT is associated with air ambulance services in India.
  • ePlane's prototype: e200X (PT-01); commercial production target: 2028.

📝 Practice Questions

Q1. Where was the ePlane Company incubated?

a) IIT Bombay
b) IIT Delhi
c) IIT Madras
d) IIT Kanpur

✅ Correct Answer: c) IIT Madras

Q2. What is the name of the ePlane Company's full-scale eVTOL prototype?

a) e100X
b) e200X (PT-01)
c) ePlaneX Pro
d) AeroE300

✅ Correct Answer: b) e200X (PT-01)

Q3. What does DGCA stand for?

a) Department of General Civil Aeronautics
b) Directorate General of Civil Aviation
c) Division of Government Civil Airports
d) Directorate of General Commercial Airlines

✅ Correct Answer: b) Directorate General of Civil Aviation

Q4. How many air ambulances did the ePlane Company sign a deal to supply to ICATT in February 2025?

a) 500
b) 650
c) 788
d) 1000

✅ Correct Answer: c) 788

Q5. What is the initial annual production target set by the ePlane Company for 2028?

a) 40 aircraft
b) 60 aircraft
c) 80 aircraft
d) 100 aircraft

✅ Correct Answer: c) 80 aircraft