Tech Platform: Government Allows Drones to Fly in India

The Government of India said Saturday that nano drones in India can now start flying legally. For micro and above categories, operators and pilots are required to register on the Digital Sky Portal.

Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), popularly referred to as drones, is a technology platform with multiple applications.

In August 2018, India had announced the release of its Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) to enable safe flying of RPAS in India.

The CAR detailed the obligations of operators, remote pilots / users and manufacturers / OEM for safe operations of RPAS and cooperative use of airspace.

It also announced Digital Sky Platform that implements ‘no permission, no take-off’ (NPNT) – a system of software-based self-enforcement to minimize deviations from the CAR. The regulations were to come in effect from December 1, allowing the industry time to ready themselves for the launch.

The platform has begun accepting registrations of users. Payments for Unmanned Aerial Operator’s Permit (UAOP) and Unique Identification Numbers (UIN) will be accepted through the Bharat Kosh portal.

To get permissions to fly, RPAS operators or remote pilots will have to file a flight plan. Flying in the ‘green zones’ will require only intimation of the time and location of the flights via the portal or the app.

Permissions will be required for flying in ‘yellow zones’ and flights will not be allowed in the ‘red zones’. The location of these zones will be announced soon. Permission, if granted, will be available digitally on the portal.