A post is being shared widely on social media with a claim that 22-year-old ‘Drone boy’ Prathap has been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi. A short story regarding his achievements can be also seen in the post. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. PM Modi has appointed ‘Drone boy’ Pratap as a scientist in DRDO. Fact: In a video message, Pratap has himself clarified that he has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi. Also, there is no concrete evidence to most of his achievements being shared on social media. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When searched about his appointment as a scientist in DRDO, a video message by Prathap was found on YouTube. In the video, Prathap has himself clarified he has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi. The same has also been confirmed by him in conversation with ‘Boom Live’. On the DRDO website, it can be found that, for a post of Scientist ‘B’, the required qualification is ‘At least First Class Master’s degree in Science Subjects, Mathematics or Psychology or First Class Degree in Engineering or Technology or Metallurgy from a recognized University or Equivalent.’ Media and Celebrities: When searched about other things mentioned in the post regarding Pratap, it was found that there is no concrete evidence to most of his achievements being shared on social media. But he was interviewed previously by various Kannada channels including ‘DD Chandana’ (video is not available now) for his achievements. Also, in one such video by ‘Dighvijay 24X7 News’, it can be seen that B. S. Yediyurappa, H. D. Kumaraswamy (then CM of Karnataka) and other celebrities have wished Pratap on his achievements. He has also received an award from ‘TV9 Kannada’ for his achievement in Multi-Drone Research. Many other photos of Pratap with various political leaders and celebrities can be seen on an Instagram profile with the name ‘droneprathap’ (FACTLY could not confirm the authenticity of the profile and photos). Photos with Drones: While it is being claimed that he has built over 600 drones, there is no picture or video on the internet of a drone built by him. There are some photos of him standing next to some drones, but they are built by reputed drone companies, not by him. In the photo given in the post, Pratap can be seen standing next to a drone which belongs to ‘ACSL’ (Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory Ltd) company. A Reddit user has posted an email response from ‘ACSL’ when they were asked about Pratap’s connection with the drone. From the email response, it is clear that Pratap has no connection with the company or drone. Also, the remote of the drone used by Prathap during the Karnataka floods looks similar to ‘YUNEEC Typhoon H+’ drone remote. Young Scientist Award – ‘iREX 2017’ – Japan: In the post, it is mentioned that he won the first prize at an expo in Tokyo. A certificate related to that prize can be found on multiple news blog websites. On the certificate, it is written that the award was won at the ‘iREX 2017’ exhibition. But, ‘iREX 2017’ is a trade expo where various companies exhibit their robots. There is no official record of any such competition and Pratap winning the competition at the expo. The organizers of the expo released a ‘Post Show Report’ after the 2017 event but there is no mention of the competition in the report. Also, there is no mention of the ‘Airbus Defence and Space’ company, whose name can be found on the Pratap’s certificate. Albert Einstein Innovation Medal – ‘CeBIT 2018’ – Germany There is no evidence to the claim that he won ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ at ‘CeBIT Drone Expo 2018’ in Germany. When searched about that award, only articles related to Pratap can be found in the search results. On the certificate, it can be seen that it is written as ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Medal’ on the top whereas it is written as ‘Albert Einstein Innovation Award’ below. Also, on the certificate, the name of ‘Deutsche Messe’ company CEO is given as ‘Wolfram von Fritsch’. But, Wolfram von Fritsch has handed over his leadership role to Dr. Jochen Köckler back in 2017 itself. Still, the certificate awarded to Pratap in 2018 has Wolfram von Fritsch’s name as CEO. Also, responding to ‘The Better India’, the organizers of the events in Germany have said that they did not host any such award. Japan visit and Bullet Train: In the post, regarding Pratap’s visit to Tokyo to participate in ‘iREX 2017’, it is mentioned that ‘somehow he reached Tokyo after going in his maiden flight to Japan all alone. He had only Rs 1400 when he landed there. He didn’t take the Bullet train since it was very expensive, so he went by normal train by changing trains at 16 different stations with his luggage to reach his last station.