Centre Taking Steps to Make India Global Drone Hub by 2030, Minister Says

The federal government has undertaken a sequence of reform measures to make India a worldwide drone hub by 2030, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Giving a written reply to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) MP Narhari Amin, the Minister additional stated a few of the reform measures taken up by the federal government on this route embrace the step to inform Liberalised Drone Guidelines, 2021 on August 25 final yr.

Drone Airspace Map was printed on September 24 final yr, opening up almost 90 p.c of Indian airspace as a inexperienced zone for drones flying as much as 400 ft, stated Singh.

“Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones was additionally notified on September 30 final yr in addition to UAS Visitors Administration (UTM) Coverage Framework was printed on October 24 final yr,” stated the Minister.

A financial grant programme for the acquisition of agricultural drones was introduced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on January 22 this yr, and all utility types below Drone Guidelines, 2021 had been additionally made on-line on the Digital Sky Platform on January 26.

Singh stated that the drone certification scheme was notified on January 26 this yr and the mission “Drone Shakti” was additionally introduced for supporting drone startups and selling Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) as a part of the Union Price range on February 1.

In addition to, the drone import coverage was notified on February 9, banning the import of overseas drones and liberating up the import of drone parts.

He additional talked about that Drone (Modification) Guidelines, 2022 was notified on February 11, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence. Now a distant pilot certificates is issued by a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorised Distant Pilot Coaching Organisations (RPTO) which is sufficient for the distant pilot to function drones.

Giving particulars of the Drones Guidelines, 2021 notified on August 25 final yr, the Minister stated it supplies the mandatory regulatory framework for the civilian or industrial use of drones.

These guidelines cowl varied features like sort certification, registration and operation of drones, airspace restrictions, analysis, growth and testing of drones, coaching and licensing, offences and penalties, stated Singh.

Given salient options of the Drones Guidelines, 2021, the Minister stated each drone, aside from these meant for analysis, growth and testing functions, is required to be registered and may have a Distinctive Identification Quantity (UIN).

“An airspace map of the nation segregating the complete airspace into crimson, yellow and inexperienced zones is offered on the digital sky platform. The operation of drones in crimson and yellow zones is topic to the approval of the Central Authorities and the involved Air Visitors Management (ATC) authority respectively. No approval is required for the operation of drones in inexperienced zones,” the Ministry stated.

He stated drones are required to have the mandatory sort certification issued by the DGCA, and that no sort certification is nonetheless required in case of nano drones (as much as 250 gram all-up weight) and mannequin drones made for analysis and recreation functions.

The Minister stated the proprietor and operators of drones are required to furnish the mandatory private particulars together with their Indian passport quantity for issuance of any registration or licence.

“Authorisation of RPTO will probably be completed by DGCA inside specified closing dates,” stated Singh.

As of July 20, there have been 27 RPTOs authorised by DGCA. Of those, three RPTOs are situated in Gujarat– Blue Ray Aviation, Kaushalya- The Talent College and Sanskardham Drone Academy.