Now, obtain permit to fly a drone

Those planning civilian use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) need to obtain an operators’ permit and Unique Identification Number (UIN) from the country's civil aviation regulator.

According to the draft Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) publicised by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), “The DGCA will register all civil unmanned aircrafts and issue a UA Operator Permit (UAOP) on case-to-case basis."

The UAS cannot discharge or drop substances unless specially cleared and mentioned in UAOP. It should not also carry any explosives, dangerous goods, animals and human.

The UAOP can be obtained by only an Indian citizen or a company with its principal business within India and its substantial ownership and effective control vested in Indian nationals, the draft said.

The DGCA had in 2014 banned use of UAVs and drones till it formulated regulations. The CAR came after Ministry of Civil Aviation and its counterparts in Home Affairs held a series of meetings to iron out the details pertaining to security issues.

According to the DGCA, civilian use of UAS includes damage assessment of property and life in areas affected with natural calamities, surveys, critical infrastructure monitoring, commercial photography and aerial mapping. They are also increasingly proliferating into recreational field and are likely to be used in many other domains.

“The operation of UAS present problems to the regulator in terms of ensuring safety of other users of airspace and persons on the ground. However, in view of technological advancements in UAS over the years and their increased civil applications, it has become necessary to develop guidance material to regulate this activity," the DGCA said.

According to the draft, all civil UA operations at or above 200 feet above ground level in uncontrolled airspace for any purpose whatsoever will require UAOP from DGCA. The application for UAS operations should be submitted at least 90 days prior to actual conduct of operations.