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New Drone Policy notified; no security clearance required before registration

Maximum penalty reduced to Rs 1 lakh: Ministry of Civil Aviation

drone rep Representational image | Punjab Police

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Thursday notified a new drone policy. The Drone Rules 2021 have done away with the requirement for security clearance before registration or licence issuance. The fees for permissions have also been reduced to nominal levels. 

Further, the maximum penalty has been reduced to Rs 1 lakh, and not applicable to penalties in respect of violation of other laws.

The coverage of drones under Drone Rules 2021 has increased from 300 kg to 500 kg to include heavy payload-carrying drones and drone taxis. 

The following requirements for approvals have also been abolished under the new policy: unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, operator permits, authorisation of R&D organisation, remote pilot instructor authorisation.

The policy also speaks about setting up an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Promotion Council to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime. The import of drones will be regulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries, under Drone Rules 2021. 

The types of fee have been reduced from 72 to four. 

Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and delinked with size of drone. For instance, the fee for a remote pilot license fee has been reduced from Rs 3,000 (for large drones) to Rs 100 for all categories of drones; and is valid for 10 years.

Digital sky platform shall be developed as a user-friendly single-window system, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement.

Interactive airspace maps with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed on the digital sky platform within 30 days of publication of these rules.

No permission required for operating drones 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 the airspace upto 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.

The Yellow zone was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.

No remote pilot licence required for micro drones (for non-commercial use) and nano drones.

No requirement of Type Certificate, unique identification number and remote pilot licence by R&D entities operating drones in own or rented premises, located in a green zone.

No restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies.

Requirement of import clearance from DGCA abolished.

DGCA shall prescribe drone training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licences online.

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