Centre notifies new Drone Rules 2021, no security clearance needed

The central government on Thursday repealed the UAS Rules, 2021 and replaced the same with the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 under which no security clearance is required prior to registration or license issuance for operating the drones and the fees for permissions has also been reduced to nominal levels.

New Delhi: The central government on Thursday repealed the UAS Rules, 2021 and replaced the same with the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 under which no security clearance is required prior to registration or licence issuance for operating the drones and the fees for permissions has also been reduced to nominal levels.

Defining the features of liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it is built on the promise of trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring. Also, the number of forms linked to the process has been reduced from 25 to 5 and the fees slashed.

"Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and delinked with the size of the drone. For instance, the fee for a remote pilot license has been reduced from Rs 3,000 (for large drones) to Rs 100 for all categories of drones; and is valid for 10 years," the Drone Rules, 2021 stated.

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As per new rules, the Digital Sky platform shall be developed as a user-friendly single-window system. There will be a minimal human interface and most permissions will be self-generated. There will be no permission required for operating drones in green zones while the permission for yellow zones has been reduced from 45 to 12 km from the airport perimeter.

The coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 has been increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. The same applies to drone taxis also. Drones present in India on or before 30 November 2021 will be issued a unique identification number through the digital sky platform provided they have a DAN, a GST-payment invoice and that they are approved by the DGCA. The maximum penalty for violations has been reduced to Rs 1 lakh.

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Besides, there will be no restriction on foreign ownership for Indian Drone companies and the requirement of import clearance from DGCA has been abolished and the import of drones will be regulated by (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) DGFT.

The government said it will develop drone corridors for cargo deliveries and that a Drone Promotion Council will be set up with the participation of academia, startups and other stakeholders to facilitate a growth-oriented regulatory regime.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the new drone rules will give a fillip to the industries in India which are related to the use of drones.

"The new Drone Rules usher in a landmark moment for this sector in India. The rules are based on the premise of trust and self-certification. Approvals, compliance requirements and entry barriers have been significantly reduced," Modi tweeted.

In March 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had published the UAS Rules, 2021. They were perceived by academia, startups, end-users and other stakeholders as being restrictive in nature, as the process involved considerable paperwork, and required permissions for every drone flight.

Also, only very few "free to fly" green zones were available. On 15 July 2021, MoCA issued draught rules for the stakeholders and now the final rules have been declared by the ministry.