How to register Drone in India ?

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for civil use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) commonly known as drones. As per the regulation, there are 5 categories of RPAS categorized by weight, namely nano, micro, small, medium and large.

Categorisation of Unmanned Aircraft System

The unmanned aircraft system shall be categorized into the following three categories, namely:

• Aeroplane
• Rotorcraft
• Hybrid unmanned aircraft system

The airplane, rotorcraft and hybrid unmanned aircraft system shall be further sub-categorised as follows

• Remotely piloted aircraft system
• Model remotely piloted aircraft system
• Autonomous unmanned aircraft system

Classification of Unmanned Aircraft System

Registration for Flying Drone

Registration for flying Drone in India involves the following steps.

1. One-time registration of drones, pilots and owners.

2. Obtain UIN

3. Obtain UAOP License

4. Remote Pilot Training

Details of each of this step is mentioned below.

Registration of Drones, Pilots and Owners

Users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight (exempted for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process permits or denies the request instantly. To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to takeoff. The unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform operates as a traffic regulator in the drone airspace and coordinates closely with the defense and civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) to ensure that drones remain on the approved flight paths. The Digital Sky Platform is the first-of-its-kind national unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform that implements “no permission, no takeoff” (NPNT). 

As an operator, manufacturer or remote pilot, you need to first register yourself. Registered users can add their NPNT compliant RPAs, and apply to fly.

Follow the below steps to register drone in India.

• Visit the DigitalSky Portal.

• Click on ‘Register’.

• Select the type of profile you want to sign up with.

• I want to use UAS

• I am a UAS Manufactures/Importer

• I want to become an authorized RPTO

• I want to be a certified remote pilot

• Authorized Testing Entity (ATE)

• For UAS Manufacturer/Importer, select whether you are an Indian Manufacturer/ Importer or a Foreigner Manufacturer/Importer.

• Fill your name, email address, mobile number and password.

How to Apply for Type Certificate?

Follow the below steps to apply for type certificate.

• Visit the DigitalSky Portal.

• Click on ‘Login’.

• Login using your email and password.

• Select 'Add Prototype UAS' from the dashboard. 

• Preview the Application for Type Certificate (Form D-1). 

• Pay Rs. 100 fee and complete the submission of Application for Type Certificate (Form D-1)

• Upon successful receipt of requisite fee, the application will be sent to the selected authorized testing entity (ATE). 

• Testing of prototype UAS by ATE will be offline process

• Selected ATE will contact you after receipt of your application.

• Upon recommendation of QCI/ ATE, DGCA will review the application and after approval, the TYPE CERTIFICATE will be generated. 

UIN for Drones

UIN is unique identification number issued by DGCA for a particular Drone.

Nano Drones and RPA owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies are not required to obtain UIN. Except foreign entity all others are eligible for applying for UIN.

For imported RPAS, ETA from WPC, Import clearance from DGCA and import license from DGFT are required before applying for UIN. For locally purchased RPAS, ETA from WPC and NPNT compliance certificate from OEM is required before applying for UIN.

UIN Eligibility Criteria

All Civil RPAs shall require a UIN from the DGCA. The UIN will be granted on the submission of numerous documents, if the RPAS is wholly owned by:

• A citizen of India; or 

• By the Central Government or any State Government or any company or corporation owned or controlled by either of the said Governments; or 

• By a company or a body corporate provided that: 

•  it is registered and has its principal place of business within India; 

• its chairman and at least two-thirds of its directors are citizens of India; and, 

• its substantial ownership and effective control is vested in Indian nationals; or 

• By a company or corporation registered elsewhere than in India, provided that such company or corporation has leased the RPAS to any organization mentioned in Para I (ii) or (iii) above.

Documents Required for UIN

Following documents are required while applying for UIN.

• Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC (Wireless Planning and Co-ordination) Wing

• OEM Certificate

• Security documents from MHA or copies of any 2 IDs (Passport, Driving License, Aadhar)

• Specification of UAS & applicable Manuals.

• Any other supporting documents deemed necessary.

How to Apply for Unique Identification Number?

Option 1: Apply UIN for cases exempted from Type Certificate (Model or a Nano UAS)

Follow the below steps to apply for UIN for exempted cases from type certificate.

• Visit the DigitalSky Portal.

• Click on ‘Login’.

• Login using your email and password.

• Select 'Add Exempted Model' menu option from the dashboard

• Fill all mandatory details of your Exempted UAS model and add your model on Digital Sky Platform. 

• Once a model is added, Individual/Organisation users can Add UAS Serial Number from the dashboard, for the added UAS Model.

• User can Click Apply for UIN for the added UAS serial number. 

• Preview the Application for Registration of UIN, Pay Rs. 100 fee and Submit Form D-2 (Application for Unique Identification Number) Upon successful receipt of requisite fee, the UIN will be generated.

Option 2: I want an UIN for my UAS which is Type Certified model

• Visit the DigitalSky Portal.

• Click on ‘Login’.

• Login using your email and password.

• Select ‘Add your UAS Serial Number’ from the dashboard.

• Navigate to the list of UAS and Apply for UIN for the added UAS serial number

• Preview the Application for Registration of UIN (Unique Identification Number)

• Pay Rs. 100 fee and complete the submission of Form D-2 (Application for Unique Identification Number)

• Upon successful receipt of requisite fee, the UIN will be generated.

UAOP License

UAOP is Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit. All operators other than exempted categories mentioned below are required to obtain UAOP from DGCA.

• Operators of Nano &Micro category in uncontrolled airspace/ enclosed premises upto 50ft and 200ft respectively.

• RPA operated by NTRO, ARC, and Central Intelligence Agencies. 

UAOP has a validity of 5 years.

After obtaining UIN , the eligible applicant should apply for UAOP through Digital Sky platform along with following supporting documents and requisite fees (at least 7 working days prior to actual commencement of operations).

• Standard Operating Procedure

• Permission of the land/property owner (only for area used for take-off and landing of RPA);

• Details of remote pilot(s) along with security clearance from MHA or selfattested copies of at least two out of three valid identity proofs viz. Passport, Driving License/ Pilot License or Aadhar Card and copies of training records.;

• Insurance details (as applicable);

• Security programme as approved by BCAS.

• Fees for UAOP of Rs 25,000/- to be deposited in Bharatkosh link  and applicant should upload the generated receipt along with application.

UAOP License Eligibility Criteria

An applicant for UAS Operator Permit-I (UAOP-I) shall fulfill the following conditions, namely:

• Operations shall be limited only to Micro or Small unmanned aircraft. 

• The UAS operations shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Standard Operating Procedure prepared by the authorized UAS operator and accepted by the Director General. 

• The UAS operations shall be carried out only by the holder of a Remote Pilot Licence of appropriate class and category. 

• The UAS operations shall be limited to visual line of sight. 

• The UAS operations for carriage of goods for any delivery shall not be permissible. 

• The UAS operations shall not carry any Dangerous Goods

An applicant for UAS Operator Permit-II (UAOP-II) shall fulfil the following conditions, namely:

• The UAS operations shall be conducted in accordance with the Operations Manual prepared by the authorized UAS operator and approved by the Director General. 

• The UAS Operations shall be carried out only by the holder of a Remote Pilot Licence of appropriate class and category. 

• The UAS operations shall not be carried out without prior clearance from Air Traffic and Air Defence Control. 

• Operators shall implement a Safety Management System (SMS) as standard practice for ensuring safe operation. 

• Carriage of Goods shall be permissible as per the approved Operations Manual. 

• The carriage of Dangerous Goods by UA is permissible subject to compliance of The Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2003.

Remote Pilot Training

A remote pilot is a person charged by the operator with duties essential to the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft and who manipulates the flight controls, as appropriate, during flight time.  Remote Pilot training is not applicable for Nano and Micro category RPA pilots intending to operate in uncontrolled airspace. However, the owner and user should be fully aware of responsibilities for all aspects of flight safety during such operations

Eligibility Criteria for Remot Pilot Training

• Remote pilot should have attained 18 years of age.

• Remote pilot should have passed at least 10th exam in English.

• A remote pilot should either obtain security clearance from MHA or submit selfattested copies of at least two out of three valid identity proofs viz. Passport, Driving License or Aadhar Card.

The remote pilot should have undergone ground/ practical training at any DGCA approved Flying Training Organization (FTO).

Procedure for Obtaining Remote Pilot License

Following is the procedure for obtaining remote pilot license.

• Any individual, who desires to obtain a remote pilot license for any category, sub-category or class of an unmanned aircraft system, or a combination thereof, shall complete the training specified by the Director General for such category, sub-category or class, and pass the tests conducted by the authorized remote pilot training organization.

• Within seven days of successful completion of the training and passing of the tests under sub-rule (1), the authorized remote pilot training organization shall make an application for remote pilot license in Form D-4 on the digital sky platform along with the fee as specified in rule 46, providing details of the individual who has passed the test

• The individual in respect of whom an application has been made by the authorized remote pilot training organization under sub-rule (2) shall be issued a remote pilot certificate through digital sky platform. 

• The Director General shall, within fifteen days from the date of issue of the remote pilot certificate under sub-rule (3), issue the remote pilot license to such individuals through the digital sky platform.

Permissions Required

No.

Stakeholder

Responsibility

Validity of Remote Pilot License

A remote pilot license shall:

• be valid only if it is enlisted on the digital sky platform

• unless suspended or canceled, remain valid for a period of ten years

• be renewed by the Director General for such period as may be specified therein, subject to a maximum period of ten years, on payment of fee as specified in rule 46.

Provided that the holder of the remote pilot license shall undergo such refresher course as may be specified by the Director General on the digital sky platform from time to time.

Operational Requirements

• All RPAS except nano and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies are to be registered and issued with Unique Identification Number (UIN).

• Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) shall be required for RPA operators except for nano RPAS operating below 50 ft., micro RPAS operating below 200 ft., and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies.

• The mandatory equipment required for operation of RPAS except nano category are (a) GNSS (GPS), (b) Return-To-Home (RTH), (c) Anti-collision light, (d) ID-Plate, (e)  Flight controller with flight data logging capability, and (f) RF ID and SIM/ No-Permission No Take off (NPNT).

• As of now, RPAS to operate within visual line of sight (VLoS), during day time only, and upto maximum400 ft. altitude.

• For flying in controlled Airspace, filing of flight plan and obtaining Air Defence Clearance (ADC) /Flight Information Centre (FIC) number shall be necessary.

• Minimum manufacturing standards and training requirements of Remote Pilots of small and above categories of RPAS have been specified in the regulation.

Enforcement Actions

If the applicant violates any of the rules, the enforcement actions are as follows.

• Suspension/ cancellation of UIN/ UAOP in case of violation of regulatory provisions,

• Actions as per relevant Sections of the Aircraft Act 1934, or Aircraft Rules, or any statutory provisions, and

• Penalties as per applicable IPCs (such as 287, 336, 337, 338, or any relevant section of IPC).

References

While crafting this guide, we have consulted reliable and authoritative sources, including official government directives, user manuals, and pertinent content sourced from government websites.

• DigitalSky

• Drone Rules

• Drone Guidelines