On 25th August 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India published Drones Rules 2021, a set of new drone regulations to liberalize the R&D, manufacturing and operation of drones in the civil airspace. The new rules will free up years of pent-up demand and supply for the use of drones in India and is a significant step towards the government’s ambition to make India the drone hub of the world by 2030.
Drones first came in the eyes of India’s regulators in 2014 when a restaurant in Mumbai performed a publicity stunt of delivered a pizza by drone to a high-rise apartment. Alarmed at the security concerns posed by this new technology, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) swiftly imposed a blanket ban on the non-government use of drones in October 2014.
It took the next 4 years for drone technology and its benefits to be understood well-enough for the DGCA to permit their use under the first drone regulations introduced in August 2018. These regulations introduced several concepts – a Digital Sky portal with green/yellow/red zones for drone flights, a No Permission No Takeoff (NPNT) framework which would prevent a drone from taking off if it did not have the requisite digital permission, and a remote pilot license for operating drones. These regulations were devised largely keeping in mind security concerns about unauthorized use of drones. While some of the concepts introduced by the regulations were innovative, their on-ground implementation lagged and they were not able to solve the issues that they intended to solve. The regulations did little to stop the unauthorized use of drones but instead made operations difficult for people who wanted to use drones legally. In March 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) introduced the UAS Rules 2021 which built upon the original regulations and introduced more permissions and authorizations in the process of R&D and manufacturing of drones. These rules were largely considered impractical and untenable and prompted a lot of concerns from the industry. After listening to industry feedback, the MoCA went back to the drawing board and drafted the Drone Rules 2021 which were published in August 2021.
The Drones Rule 2021 are based on a premise of trust, self-certification, and non-intrusive monitoring. The onus of compliance is shifted from the drone manufacturer to the drone operator. The three key tenants to have compliant drone operations under the new rules are:
The number of permissions and authorizations for activities have been reduced from 25 under previous regulations to just 5.
Drones have been classified into five categories – nano, micro, small, medium and large – depending on their weight. A drone model is required to be certified through an accredited lab to ensure it meets the design, equipment, performance, and safety standards as per DGCA guidelines. Certification is not required for nano drones and drones developed for R&D and prototyping purposes.
All persons operating a drone in the civil airspace are required to have a drone remote pilot license. A person must be over 18 years, have passed 10th standard examination and undergone the prescribed training at an approved remote pilot training organization (RPTO) in order to obtain a pilot license. The DGCA will issue the remote pilot license to a person through Digital Sky within 15 days after receiving the training certificate from a RPTO. No remote pilot licence is required to operate nano drones and micro drones for recreational use.
An interactive airspace map is available on the Digital Sky portal – which shows the division of the Indian airspace into green, yellow and red zones. Absolutely no permissions are required for drone operations in Green zones. Permission from local Air Traffic Control (ATC) centers are required to operate drones in Yellow zones, which are close to airports. Permission from the central government is required to operate drones in Red zones, which are airspaces within 5km of an airport or sensitive location.
The drone rules in India 2024 are governed by the Drone Rules, 2021, issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Drone operators must register their UAVs on the Digital Sky platform and obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN). Flights are restricted within designated airspace categories—green zones allow drones to operate without prior approval, while yellow and red zones require permissions. Pilots must follow safety protocols, maintain visual line of sight (VLOS), and avoid flying near airports, military areas, or critical infrastructure. Violation of DGCA rules for drones may result in penalties, fines, or legal action.
Drones in India are classified based on their drone weight categories as per DGCA guidelines:
These classifications under the drone category in India determine operational permissions, training requirements, and safety protocols.
To comply with drone rules in India, UAVs must be equipped with safety and operational technology as mandated by DGCA. This includes:
Meeting these equipment requirements is crucial for legal drone operations in India.
The DGCA rules and regulations for drones outline stringent safety, operational, and regulatory requirements for UAV usage in India. All drones (except nano) must be registered on the Digital Sky platform and carry a UIN. Drone pilots need training and certification, especially for commercial or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. Airspace categorization mandates that drone flights in yellow and red zones require prior clearance. Additionally, compliance with drone rules in India 2024 includes maintaining a log of flight details, adhering to payload restrictions, and following cybersecurity guidelines for data protection.
Under the new drone rules,
The rules will significantly amplify business activities in this sector and industries as diverse as agriculture, oil & gas, construction, power & utilities, retail, healthcare will start experimentation and adoption of drone-based solutions to transform their operations.
Under the new drone rules, India will likely become a multi-billion dollar market for commercial drone operations in the next five years, and the sector will create new and unique employment opportunities for drone pilots, engineers and technical professionals.
While the new drone rules have, the government is working on several additional policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to make drone operations safer, secure and scalable. These include the Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) policy and SOPs on remote pilot training and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights. As technology matures and new markets open up, the regulations will have to be agile in responding to ensure that the full potential of this emerging technology of strategic importance is realized.
India’s evolving drone rules in India 2024 aim to create a balanced framework fostering innovation while ensuring safety and compliance. With defined drone weight categories and operational zones, the DGCA rules for drones provide clarity for both recreational and commercial usage. By adhering to these regulations, stakeholders can harness drones' potential in agriculture, surveillance, and logistics while ensuring safe airspace for all.
Read Also - Understanding the Basics of Compliance in the Indian Drone Industry
Is it legal to fly a drone in India?
Yes, flying a drone in India is legal under the DGCA rules and regulations for drones. Operators must follow the guidelines, including registration, permissible zones, and compliance with the drone's weight and category.
What are drone rules in India?
The drone rules in India 2024 outline operational zones, drone weight categories, registration requirements, and flight permissions. These rules promote safe drone operations while enabling their integration into various industries.
What is the issue with drones in India?
Issues include lack of awareness about DGCA rules for drones, potential misuse in sensitive zones, and limited infrastructure for enforcement. Addressing these concerns is vital for safer adoption of drone technology.
What is the red zone for drones in India?
Red zones are no-fly areas specified in the regulations. Flying drones in these zones is prohibited without explicit permission from the DGCA, ensuring safety in sensitive locations.
