Drone Rules, 2021

Table of Contents

Liberalized Drone Rules, 2021- Context

Recently, the union government has decided to repeal the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules, 2021, and replace the same with the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021.
Drone Rules 2021 are based on the principles of trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring.

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Liberalized Drone Rules, 2021- Key features

Designed to balance the need to catalyze super-normal growth while balancing safety and security considerations.
Abolition of Multiple Approval: for example, unique authorization number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of manufacturing and airworthiness, etc.
- The number of forms has also been reduced from 25 to 5.
Rationalization of fee: Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and delinked with the size of the drone. For Instance-
- The fee for remote pilot license fee has been reduced from INR 3000 (for large drones) to INR 100 for all categories of drones and is valid for 10 years.
Development of a Digital sky platform as a user-friendly single-window system: There will be minimal human interface and most permissions will be self-generated.
- Interactive airspace map with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed on the digital sky platform within 30 days of publication of these rules.
- Manufacturers and importers may generate their drones’ unique identification number on the digital sky platform through the self-certification route.
- Easier process specified for transfer and deregistration of drones through the digital sky platform.
No permission required in green zones: Green-zone means the airspace upto-
- A vertical distance of 400 feet or 120 metre that has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map; and
- A vertical distance of 200 feet or 60 metre above the area located between a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometre from the perimeter of an operational airport.
Yellow zone was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.
Liberalized License Regime:
- No remote pilot license is required for micro drones (for non-commercial use) and nano drones.
- No requirement for security clearance before issuance of any registration or license.
- No requirement of Type Certificate, unique identification number, and remote pilot license by R&D entities operating drones in own or rented premises, located in a green zone.
Promoting Investment in the Drone sector:
- Restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies has been lifted.
- Import of drones to be regulated by DGFT.
- Requirement of import clearance from DGCA abolished.
- Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries.
Coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. This will cover drone taxis also.
Role of DGCA:
- DGCA shall prescribe drone training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licences online.
- Remote pilot licence to be issued by DGCA within 15 days of the pilot receiving the remote pilot certificate from the authorized drone school through the digital sky platform.
- Standard operating procedures (SOP) and training procedure manuals (TPM) will be prescribed by DGCA on the digital sky platform for self-monitoring by users. No approvals are required unless there is a significant departure from the prescribed procedures.
Liberalizing Type certification:
- Testing of drones for issuance of Type Certificate to be carried out by Quality Council of India or authorized testing entities.
- Type Certificate required only when a drone is to be operated in India. Importing and manufacturing drones purely for exports are exempt from type certification and unique identification numbers.
- Nano and model drones (made for research or recreation purposes) are exempt from type certification.
Provisions for Security and Safety:
- Maximum penalty for violations reduced to INR 1 lakh.
- Safety and security features like ‘No permission – no takeoff’ (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing, etc. to be notified in the future. A six-month lead time will be provided to the industry for compliance.
Drone promotion council: to be set up by Government with participation from academia, startups and other stakeholders to facilitate a growth-oriented regulatory regime.

Charter Act of 1813

Key Significance of the Drones (UAS)

Potential to offer tremendous benefits to almost all sectors of the economy like-
- Agriculture,
- Mining,
- Infrastructure,
- Surveillance,
- Emergency response,
- Transportation,
- Geo-spatial mapping,
- Defence, and law enforcement, etc.
Creators of employment and economic growth: due to their reach, versatility, and ease of use, especially in India’s remote and inaccessible areas.
Potential to be a global drone hub by 2030: In view of its traditional strengths in innovation, information technology, frugal engineering, and huge domestic demand, India has the potential to be a global drone hub by 2030.