India's Drone Rules, 2021 decide who must register a drone, who needs a pilot certificate and where a drone may fly. This guide sets out the parts that matter most to government and defence buyers. It is a summary, not legal advice. Check the current text on the Ministry of Civil Aviation website before you act.
Which rules apply
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation notified the Drone Rules, 2021 in August 2021. They replaced the earlier, stricter UAS Rules.
- The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, notified on 11 February 2022, replaced the remote pilot licence with a remote pilot certificate.
- Registration, certificates and flight permissions are handled online on the Digital Sky platform.
Who the rules cover
- The rules cover anyone who owns, operates, leases, transfers or maintains a drone in India, and every drone registered or flown in India.
- The rules exclude drones belonging to or used by the naval, military or air forces of the Union.
- Central armed police forces, state police and civil departments are not named in that exclusion. Unless a specific exemption applies, plan on their drones following the rules. Confirm this with your aviation or legal cell.
Drone categories by weight
The category depends on the maximum all-up weight, including payload.
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Nano | Up to 250 g |
| Micro | More than 250 g, up to 2 kg |
| Small | More than 2 kg, up to 25 kg |
| Medium | More than 25 kg, up to 150 kg |
| Large | More than 150 kg |
Registration
- Every drone covered by the rules needs a unique identification number (UIN) from Digital Sky.
- No category is exempt from the UIN, nano drones included.
Remote pilot certificate
- A remote pilot certificate is not needed to fly a nano drone.
- It is not needed to fly a micro drone for non-commercial use.
- For other operations, the pilot needs a certificate. It is issued through a remote pilot training organisation (RPTO) authorised by DGCA, after training and a test.
Type certificate
- A drone does not need a type certificate to be manufactured or imported.
- A nano drone does not need a type certificate to be flown.
- Other drones need one to be flown, issued against the certification scheme for unmanned aircraft systems.
Where a drone may fly
- Digital Sky shows an airspace map with green, yellow and red zones.
- Green zones need no prior permission.
- Yellow and red zones need permission before the flight.
- Check the map before every flight. Zones change, for example around airports and during events.
Imports
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade banned imports of complete drones on 9 February 2022.
- Imports for research and development, defence and security are allowed with an import authorisation.
- Drone components may still be imported without prior approval.
Penalties
- Breaking the rules can lead to a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh, and to a licence, certificate or approval being suspended or cancelled.
- Flying in red or yellow zones without permission, or carrying arms or explosives without permission, are treated as serious offences under the rules.
A checklist for buyers
- Confirm the weight category of each drone you are buying, with payload.
- Confirm whether your organisation falls under the rules or under the armed forces exclusion.
- Plan UIN registration on Digital Sky before the first flight.
- Plan remote pilot certificates for your operators, unless every drone is nano or used non-commercially as a micro.
- Ask the supplier for the bill of materials with country of origin, and for confirmation that complete drones were not imported.
- Build training and maintenance into the order, so your team can keep the drones flying.
Where StellarGen fits
- AeroSpark weighs 249 g and falls in the nano category: no remote pilot certificate or type certificate is needed to fly it.
- Our training courses include DGCA remote pilot certification through our RPTO partners.
- Government buyers receive the bill of materials with country of origin on order.
Sources
- Ministry of Civil Aviation, Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, dated 11 February 2022: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-10/Drone%20%28Amendment%29%20Rules%2C%202022%20dated%2011%20Feb%202022_0.pdf
- Nishith Desai Associates, analysis of the Drone Rules, 2021: https://www.nishithdesai.com/default.aspx?id=4815
- Mondaq, "The Drone Rules 2021: taming the UAS": https://www.mondaq.com/india/aviation/1107796/the-drone-rules-2021-taming-the-uas
- MediaNama, Drone Rules amendment, February 2022: https://www.medianama.com/2022/02/223-drone-rules-amendment-remote-pilot-licence-abolished/
- Fox Mandal, India bans import of drones, February 2022: https://foxmandal.in/News/india-bans-import-of-drones-2/