Top News

Drones, i.e., Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are no longer limited to the military. Today, they have become common in many fields like photography, film making, agriculture, survey, security, and logistics, but some legal rules and conditions have been fixed for flying drones in India, which are mandatory to follow. If you are thinking of buying or flying a drone in India, then this article is very important for you. Let us know about the rules related to drones, the registration process, and necessary precautions...

Major laws and rules related to drones in India (prescribed by DGCA)

All the rules related to flying drones in India are monitored by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). For this, in 2021, the Government of India issued Drone Rules 2021, which were further simplified, and some changes were also made later.

Categories of drones
Nano drones
Weight: Up to 250 grams
Flight height: Up to 50 feet
Registration: Not required (if used for non-commercial purposes)
Micro drones
Weight: 250 grams to 2 kg
Flight height: Up to 200 feet
Registration: Required
Small drones:
Weight: 2 kg to 25 kg
Flight height: Up to 400 feet
DGCA permission required
Medium and large drones
Used for commercial and security purposes
Special permission required
What should you keep in mind before buying and flying a drone?
Registration on UDAN portal (DigitalSky Platform)
To fly a drone, you must first register as a drone operator (Remote Pilot) by visiting the website https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in/. You will have to get the Unique Identification Number (UIN) of your drone. After registration, it is mandatory to mark the drone with a digital tag or QR code.

Where permission is required, and where it is not

Permission is required for every flight from DGCA's DigitalSky portal or app. Flying drones near airports, military areas, Parliament House, border areas, and international borders is strictly prohibited.

Green, Yellow, and Red Zones

India is divided into three zones for drone flying..

Green Zone: Drones can be flown without permission (within controlled limits)

Yellow Zone: Permission required

Red Zone: Complete ban

Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC)

It is necessary to take training and obtain a license for micro and larger drones. This can be done only from a training school recognized by DGCA.

What precautions are necessary while flying a drone?

Stay away from the crowd of people while flying in public places. Fly a drone at night only if you have obtained permission. Do not violate privacy with the drone (such as recording someone's home or private property). Keep flight logging and GPS tracking on in the drone. In case of any accident or security breach, inform the local police and DGCA. Many models of Chinese drones are banned in India. The use of drones to carry firecrackers, weapons, or dangerous goods is illegal. Using drones for spying or military surveillance without a license comes under the category of crime.

What to keep in mind while buying a drone?

Buy only DGCA-certified brands or models.
The drone should have features like GPS, Altitude Control, and Collision Avoidance.
Keep the serial number or unique ID given with the drone safe.
Check the battery capacity and flight time of the drone.
There should be replacement facility for drone parts (propeller, motor, camera).

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.