be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has recently notified Drone Rules, 2021;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has increased the coverage of an unmanned aircraft system from 300 kg to 500 kg to include heavy payload-carrying drones for use in the logistics and transportation sectors;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the other steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Drones Rules, 2021 were notified on 25 August 2021. The salient details of the Drone Rules, 2021 are as follows:
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(i) Every drone, except for those meant for research, development and testing purposes, is required to be registered and should have a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
(ii) An airspace map of the country segregating the entire airspace into green, yellow and red zones is to be displayed on the digital sky platform. Operation of drones in yellow and red zones is subject to the approval of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Central Government respectively. No approval is however required for operation of drones in green zones which means the airspace upto a vertical distance of 400 feet.;;
(iii) The State Government, the Union Territory Administration and Law enforcement agencies have been empowered under the Rules to declare a temporary red zone for a specified period.
(iv) Drones are required to have the necessary type certification issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). No type certification is however required in case of nano drones (up to 250 grams all-up weight) and model drones made for research and recreation purpose.;
(v) Drone operators are required to furnish the necessary personal details including their Indian passport number etc. for issuance of any registration or licence. ;
(vi) A remote pilot licence issued by DGCA is mandatory for operating any drone, except for drones upto 2 kg weight (used for non-commercial purposes) and drones weighing less than 250 grams.;
(vii) Authorisation of Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO) and issuance of remote pilot licences will be done by DGCA within specified time limits.;
(viii) Number of forms have been reduced from 25 to 5 and types of fees have been reduced from 72 to 4.;;
(ix) A DigitalSky Platform is to be developed as a user-friendly online single-window system for all drone related approvals and authorisations.;
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(c) to (e) Yes, Sir. The Drone Rules, 2021 are applicable to unmanned aircraft system upto all-up-weight of 500 kg. ;
National Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 24 October 2021 for, inter-alia, facilitating safe and seamless transfer of goods by unmanned aircraft systems within and across zones. The UTM policy framework is a dynamic document subject to changes based on technological advancements, actual experiences and other developments in airspace management systems.