As part of new rules for Drones flying in the country, in August 2021 the Indian government introduced the "liberalised Drone Rules, 2021". The Ministry of Civil Aviation then introduced an online airspace map of India to help citizens know where they can fly their drones and what paperwork is required to fly drones in certain areas. Available for all on the Digital Sky website, the airspace map is marked in green, yellow and red zones, giving a clear idea as to where you one can fly their drones.
Drone Airspace Map has been published on 24th September 2021, opening up nearly 90% of Indian airspace as a green zone for drone flying up to 400 feet.
The Central Government has undertaken a series of reform measures to facilitate drone
manufacturing and operations in the country.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that as on 25th July this year, there are 63 remote Pilot Training Organisations authorised by DGCA for imparting drone training across the country. He said the government has taken a series of reform measures, including the UAS traffic management policy framework, Production Linked incentive scheme, Mission Drone Shakti and others.
Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd), informed about several mesaures taken by the government to promote drone manufacturing and operations, some of them are –
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components has been notified on 30th September 2021.
- UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published on 24th October 2021.
- Monetary grant programme for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
- All application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the Digital Sky Platform on 26th January 2022.
- Drone Certification Scheme has been notified on 26th January 2022.
- Mission 'Drone Shakti' has been announced for supporting drone start-ups and promoting Drone-as-a Service (DrAAS) as part of Union Budget on 1st February 2022.
- Drone Import policy has been notified on 9th February 2022, banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.
- Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 has been notified on 11th February 2022, abolishing the requirement of drone pilot license. Now a remote pilot certificate is issued by a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) which is adequate for the remote pilot to operate drones.
- Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023 have been notified on 27th September 2023, providing an alternative arrangement in case of non-availability of Indian Passport with the applicant, for issuance of Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). Now, government issued proof of identity and government issued proof of address such as Voter's ID card, Ration card or driving license shall be adequate for issuance of RPC.
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