Initiative on Drone Manufacturing and Operations: Reform Measures to Facilitate Growth in the Country
The Central Government has undertaken a series of reform measures to facilitate drone manufacturing and operations in the country, some of these are as follows:
(i)Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 have been notified on 25th August 2021.
(ii)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.
(iii)Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components has been notified on 30th September 2021.
(iv)UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published on 24th October 2021.
(v) Monetary grant programme for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
(vi)All application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the Digital Sky Platform on 26th January 2022.
(vii)Drone Certification Scheme has been notified on 26th January 2022.
(viii)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.
(ix)Drone Import policy has been notified on 9th February 2022, banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.
(x)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.
(xi)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.