Question : USE OF DRONES

(a) whether the use of drones as well as its sale and purchase is regulated by law in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is keeping track of all the drones which are being used in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the use of drones for sports or for any other activity is required to be permitted by DGCA and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the use of private drones is on the rise in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by DGCA to ensure that drones are not misused by anti-social elements?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) to (d) As of now, the Aircraft Rules do not cover use of drones as well as its sale and purchase. Directorate General of Civil Aviation has restricted civil use of drones/unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) vide public notice dated 07.10.2014 available on DGCA`s website www.dgca.nic.in. However, DGCA is in the process of developing an interim operations guideline for civil use of UAS. Till such regulations are issued, no non government agency, organization or an individual will launch a UAS in Indian Civil Airspace for any purpose whatsoever.