Generic Rules
Drone Owner or 
Manufacturer or Importer
R&D OrganisationKnow these generic rules that are applicable to all section of drone fliers.
Drones have been divided into different categories and sub-categories based on their configuration and Maimum take-off weight (MTOW).
Aeroplane
An aeroplance is a power-driven fixed wing aircraft that is heavier than air. It is propelled by a screw propeller and derives its lift from aerodynamic reactions.
Rotorcraft
Rotorcraft is a heavier-than-air aircraft supported in flight by the reactions of the air on one or more power driven rotors on substantially vertical axes.
Hybrid
Hybrid category drone is a heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing which depends principally on power-driven lift devices or engine thrust for the lift during the flight regimes and on non-rotating air foil for lift during horizontal flight.
Other
Any UAV which does not fit in Aeroplane, Rotorcraft or Hybrid, falls under the Other category.
Model RPAS
A model RPA is used for educational purposes and has weight not exceeding 25 kgs. It is flown within the visual line of sight of the operator.
RPAS
The term RPAs is used for Uncrewed aircrafts (UA). It means Remote Pilot Aircraft, its associated remote pilot station, the required command and control links and any of the other components. There are 3 subsets of UA - Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft and Model Aircraft.
Autonomous RPAS
This refers to an uncrewed aircraft system that does not require pilot intervention in the management of the flight.
Nano
Maximum take off weight (MTOW) is less than 250g
Micro
MTOW is between 250g & 2kg
Small
MTOW is between 2kg and 25kg
Medium
MTOW is between 25kg and 150kg
Large
MTOW is greater than 150kg
India has been divided into three airspace zones based on the sensitivity of the area.
Red Zone
Highly restricted area where UAV flying can be permitted only by the Central Gov. Eg: Airports, International Borders etc.
Yellow Zone
Restricted area where UAVs can be flown post permission from a nearest Air Traffic Controller. Eg: Area near the airport, military areas
Green Zone
Unrestricted Zones where drones can fly upto 400 ft without permission, and upto 200 ft in areas within 8-12km range of an operational airport
In a green zone, one could fly upto 400 ft without permission. For green zones lying between 8-12km of an airport, one could fly upto 200 ft without permission. Yellow zones and Red zones require permission from nearest Air Traffic Controller and Central Government, respectively.
A remote pilot must know all the pre-requisites of flying a drone.
Drone insurance
As per Section X, Rule 44 of the Indian Drone Rules 2021, Third-Party insurance is mandatory.
Flying with drones in domestic flights have been permitted in India if these rules are followed:
Carrying a Nano drones
A drone below 250 gm in weight can be carried either in the checked-in or cabin luggage. However, the batteries would have to be removed and be placed mandatorily in the cabin luggage. The airline carrier needs to be informed about drone luggage in advance.
Carrying micro, small and medium drones
These drones can be carried in checked-in luggage provided their batteries have been removed and placed separately in the cabin luggage. The airline carrier needs to be informed about drone lugagge in advance.
Spare Batteries
Any number of spare batteries with watt-hour (WH) less than 100 can be carried in the Cabin luggage. Maximum two batteries above 100 and less than 160 WH can be carried in the Cabin. No spare batteries above 160 WH is pemitted in Cabin. These must be shipped as Cargo.
International Travel with drones
A drone below 250 gm in weight can be carried either in the checked-in or cabin luggage. However, the batteries would have to be removed and be placed mandatorily in the cabin luggage. The airline carrier needs to be informed about drone luggage in advance.
A Drone can be flown for fun/recreational purposes which could be shooting your vacation pictures or flying casually without deriving any commercial benefit. In these cases, there has been some leniency in rules.
It is mandatory for a hobby drone flier to register his/her drone even if it is a toy drone or a nano drone. Flying a drone for non-commercial use without a valid UIN/DAN would be an offense.
A non-commercial flier doesn’t require a Remote Pilot Certificate if:
a) The drone being flown is a nano or micro drone
b) The drone is being flown in a Green zone below the (400 ft) altitude limit
Third-Party liability insurance for the drone is mandatory for all categories of drones, except for nano drones. The insurance is similar to a motor/car insurance and it protects a drone fliers from damages that happens to a third person or property due to a drone crash or incident.
There is a separate provision for transferring drones to a third person either for leasing or selling for permanent use. There is also a provision for de-registeration of drones if the drone is lost or permanently damaged.
The nature of transfer, details of drones, details of transferor and details of transferee have to be listed in the form. In case of deregistration.
As per the provision, a fee of Rs.100 has to be paid to the DGCA. The DGCA shall generate a transaction number post the validation of the documents.
The DGCA has laid down rules for offences and penalties that should be paid if any activity is carried in contravention of the rules.
Flying in a prohibited or restricted zones shall be treated as a cognizable and non-compoundable offense.
Carrying arms, ammunitions, explosives and other prohibited articles as mentioned in Rule 27 of the Indian Drone Rules 2021 shall be a punishbale offense.
The maximum penalty that can be imposed to a person if he has not followed a drone rule is INR One Lakh, as per section 10A of the act.
Drone flying risk is determined by two factors. It is either the risk of confiscation by the regulators or the risk of crashes in an area.
View risk scores of your location in TropoGo map and plan your flight.
The government stakeholders have multiple roles and responsibilities in various aspects of drone operation including import clearance, UIN issuance, security clearance, approvals, and many more.
Portals by Government
Digital Sky
Single window digital platform by DGCA to issue licenses, approvals & clearances.
Visit Digital Sky >>
e-Sahaj
A MoCA portal that allows companies and enterprises to apply for security clearance.
Visit eSahaj >>
eMarketplace
GeM is a Government eMarketplace that allows to market the products digitally.
Visit GeM >>Government Stakeholders and Officials
Government Stakeholders
List of all government stakeholders related to legal drone purchase and flying.
Government Officer’s List
Contacts of Officers in Charge for various step of legal drone purchase and flying.
You have got questions; we are happy to help with answers.
Q: How do I know if I am flying in a green zone or a red zone?
A: Before flying a drone, you must check the zone in the Aerospace map on the Digital Sky portal. Please note that the map is dynamic in nature, therefore a green zone can be coverted into a yellow or red zone without any prior information. Hence, it is advised to keep checking for the zones before every flight.
Q: Can I fly to any altitude in a green zone?
A: No, you can only fly upto 400 ft in a green zone. The vertical distance above 400 ft in a green zone becomes a Yellow zone and hence, the rules for yellow zone becomes applicable.
Q: I want to fly in a Yellow zone, How do I take a permission?
A: Yellow zone is a restricted space. You have to take a permission from the nearest Air Traffic Controller. You could download the TropoGo app to find the contact details of your nearest ATC.
Q: Can I travel with my DJI Mavic Mini drone for a vacation in a domestic flight?
A: Yes, you can. Declare the same with the aircraft carrier prior to your flight, remove the battery safely from the drone, and carry both the drone and the battery in the cabin luggage.
Q: I want to travel abroad with my drone. What are the rules?
A: International flight rules differ from that of the domestic flights. Therefore, it is advised to get in touch with the flight operator and immigration of the destination country before carrying your drone.
Q: Can I bring a drone to India from abroad?
A: As per the latest notification by DGCA, import of a drone is banned in India. However, you may bring an old drone for your personal use but you need to inform the airline and take necessary permissions from the DCGA before doing so. DGCA HelpDesk on drones: https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in/help/#/help-desk Toll free: 1-800-121-9142 & 1-800-103-5780
Disclaimer:
1. All trademarks and logos or registered trademarks and logos found on this Site or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners and are solely being used for informational purposes.
2. Information provided herein has been gathered from public sources. TropoGo Pvt Ltd & all its subsidiaries disclaim any and all responsibility in connection with veracity of this data.
3. Information presented on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, financial or any other form of advice. TropoGo Pvt Ltd & all its subsidiaries is not liable for financial or other any other form of loss incurred by the user or any affiliated party on the basis of information provided herein.
4. This Site will be updated on a regular basis. India Drone Guide is a public tool offered by TropoGo Technologies and is free to use on https://TropoGo.com/india-guides.
Sky Store has the ultimate collection of drones by Indian Manufacturers. Since, the import of foreign drones has been banned in India, you can have a look at multiple Indian drone models which are equally good.
Feel free to write to us at hello@tropogo.com with your suggestions/opinions.
Copy Email ID
Get Contact Details 