Who is Regulating the Flying Devices(Drones) in India I.e. which Agencies are responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of India?
The agency which is responsible for regulating Drones in India is called DGCA(Directorate General of Civil Aviation) which works under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Drone categories in India:
- Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams.
- Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than 2 kg.
- Small: Greater than 2 kg and less than 25 kg.
- Medium: Greater than 25 kg and less than 150 kg.
- Large: Greater than 150 kg.
In order to get any activity done from all the drones except the Nano category and Micro category, we have to first register them on the digital sky online platform and get a unique identification number. The drone operator will also have to give this guarantee that the Drone remains inside the stated area as far as he has got permission, as well as as provide an online log for every flight.
Nano category and Micro category drones do not require any permission, but some rules have also been made for Nano-drones and Micro-drones which must be followed.
- You cannot fly these drones above 15 m(50ft).
- You cannot fly these in restricted areas such as airports, or military areas.
- you cannot use these drones for Commercial purposes.
Drone Registration India:
When an application is filled by the manufacturer or owner on the digital sky platform, if your drone falls within the specified certification standards, then the Quality Council of India issues an airworthiness certificate for that type of Drone.
The Central Government sets the standard for getting the certificate of airworthiness. for drones based on the Quality Council of India’s suggestion. This type of guideline promotes Indian-made technology, Indian component, and Indian design.
It is the responsibility of the operator of the drone that the drone conforms to a valid type certificate.
*Application and procedure for registration:-
- Anyone who wants to register and obtain a unique identification number will have to fill a D-2 application form on the digital sky platform, pay his fee as well as provide requisite details including the unique number of the type certificate to which such unmanned aircraft system conforms to.
- The digital sky platform will verify all the details and give a unique identification number to the applicant.
- The unique identification number must be linked with the unique serial number provided by the manufacturer and the unique serial numbers of the flight control module of the drone.
- No one can replace the flight control module or the remote pilot station whose serial number is linked to the serial number of that drone and if you want to replace then you must has to be linked to the serial number of new flight control module to the drone’s serial number within 7 days of replacement and you cannot use the drone until this process is completed.
Remote Pilot Certificate in India:
No one can fly a drone without a valid remote pilot certificate. A remote pilot license means the permit issued by an authorized remote pilot training organisation to any natural person for operating a particular class or class of drones.
*Classification:-
In the remote pilot certificate it is mentioned that this certificate is licensing the pilot in which category, sub-category, class or group of class aircraft.
*Eligibility:-
- are not less than eighteen years of age and not more than sixty-five years of age.
- have passed the class tenth examination or its equivalent from a recognized Board.
- have successfully completed such training as may be specified by the Director-General, from any authorized remote pilot training organization.
*Validity of Certificate:-
- certificate is valid only if it is enlisted on the digital sky platform.
- certificate is valid unless suspended or canceled, or it remain valid for a period of ten years.
