Drone Laws in India – Complete Guide Leave a comment

Did you know that foreigners can not fly drones in India? Although flying drones is legal in India according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, there are some drone laws in India that you should be aware of before turning your dreams into reality with these artificial feathers. 

On 26th August 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation proposed a more liberalised policy providing a broader scope for public utility, their feedback, industry demand, etc. Still, they do not apply to army, naval and air forces.

How Drones Came into Operation?

The Indian army from Israel first acquired drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the 1990s followed by the Navy and Air Force. That was a turning point in the history of industrial India. 

The army operated these drones for the first time during the Kargil War against Pakistan for photo-reconnaissance along LOC. It marked the beginning of the aerial revolution in India. Continuing this spirit, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) possesses all the rights to govern the use of drones here.

While the UAVs were initially developed for army and national safety reasons, they found their way to the public enhancing the level of their creativity and bringing a revolution in the Photography and videography industry. But there are a few drone laws in India that you need to abide by. So, let’s take a look at them and be astonished. Read till last!

1. Mandatory Registration and Unique Identification Number (UIN)

The first and most important drone law says that all drones except for the ones in the nano category and which weigh less than 250 g must be registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. After registration, they get this unique identification number (UIN). 

People need to have a license to fly drones in India. You can register your drone on the “Digital Sky Platform” governed by the DGCA. DGCA provides a single window for all drone registrations and licenses in India. 

2. Age Limit to Use Drone

You must be wondering if a registration and license are all you need to have to fly the drone of your dreams. But some drone laws in India might be an obstacle in your way of achieving this. And this age limit is one of them. 

Operators must be at least 18 years old have completed a drone-flying course run by a DGCA-approved institution and pass a written exam. You should remember that a drone license is valid for 10 years only. If required, you can get your license reviewed.

3. Permission for Operations

One of the enthralling drone laws in India is this. It states that you require a special permit for commercial drone operations except for the ones coming under the nano (flown below the scale of 50 feet) and macro category (flown below the scale of 200 feet). The operators must obtain an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) to execute commercial drone operations in India. 

4. Fly in Specified Areas

There is a term called “No Fly Zones” which refers to special areas where you are not permitted to fly drones. These include the airports, Vijay Chowk in Delhi, international borders, state secretariat complex in state capitals, military installations, and other strategic locations. 

You need to have a special permit to fly drones in these non-permitted areas. If you do that without a permit, the government can take legal action against you. 

5. Do Not Fly Above Certain Height

Regarding the flying distance, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has prescribed certain distance parameters. According to DCGA, drones can not be flown above the altitude of 400 feet. It is strictly prohibited and this is one of the must-be-followed drone laws in India. 

For users’ convenience, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has plotted an interactive map on SKy 

Digital Platform where the flying zones can be seen in three colours – Red, yellow and green. No permission is needed to fly drones in green areas, yellow denotes specialised ‘no-fly’ zones. But you can enter with a special permit and red ones are strictly ‘no-entry’ areas.

6. Do Not Carry Prohibited Items

DGCA has mentioned that drones must not be used to carry any kind of hazardous materials or those present in the list of prohibited items. It is necessary to follow these guidelines to avoid legal issues. 

Also, you must be aware of the local drone laws and restrictions while flying a drone in your local area. There might be some special variations in drone rules from area to area. So, be mindful of that.

7. Permission to Take-off

You may be a little astonished by this but it is what it is. You require permission before taking off your drone operation. The permission can be taken or granted via a mobile app which generates or disapproves the permit to fly. Operators must follow these guidelines as the violation could result in heavy penalties including a fine of up to Rs 1,00,000. 

8. Ban on Drone Imports

You will be fascinated when I tell you that India is about to become the global drone hub very soon. Yes, you heard me right! As of February 2022, the government banned any kind of drone or its component imports to encourage the domestic drone industry of India and employment. 

The focus is on expanding our Indian manufacturing industry. However, this ban is not imposed on the military which means that this rule is an exception for security purposes, defence force, and Research and development of technology.

Consequences of Violating Drone Laws in India

All of the above-written laws are made after several revisions of public convenience, national safety, and people’s interests. So, you must abide by these rules. If you violate any of them, you may face the legal consequences. Penalties, fines and imprisonment are perfect demonstration of that. Every law has its punishment, so before taking any illegal action think twice and go through the drone laws and punishments. 

Summary

India’s drone laws are stringent yet essential for safe and legal drone operations. Foreigners are prohibited from flying drones in the country, emphasizing the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s regulations. Key aspects include mandatory registration and Unique Identification Numbers (UINs) for drones, operator age limits, and commercial operations permissions.

The Ministry proposed a more liberalized policy in August 2021, but certain restrictions remain, particularly for military forces. Drones originated in India through military acquisitions from Israel, evolving into civilian use for various industries like photography.

Critical drone laws include registration with the DGCA, age requirements, permits for commercial operations, adherence to specified flying zones, altitude limits, and bans on carrying prohibited items. Violations can lead to severe penalties.

India’s ban on drone imports aims to boost domestic manufacturing, with exemptions for military and research purposes. Adhering to these laws is crucial for safe and legal drone operations, ensuring public safety and industry growth.