The civil aviation ministry on Friday cast off the requirement of a drone pilot licence for running drones in the country. The step comes a day after India declared its verdict to restrict the import of drones, an action that effectively prevents a developing market for China’s SZ DJI Technology Co., the world’s top drone maker, and enables a nascent local industry to ramp up generation.
According to an official, the Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) put out by a DGCA-approved drone school through the sole window DigitalSky Platform shall be adequate for operating a drone in India. The official also announced that no remote pilot certificate shall be needed for operating a drone up to 2 kg for non-commercial purposes.
A notification revising Drone Rules has been released by the ministry and the provision of a drone pilot licence has been cancelled with effect from February 11. The latest move comes days after the government restricted the import of drones with particular exceptions as part of actions to emphasize domestic manufacturing of drones in the country. The ministry turned up with liberalised drone laws in August 2021.
After the rules, the ministry put out the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, the UTM policy framework in October 2021. Moreover, the drone certification scheme and single window DigitalSky Platform were assigned last month. However, import of some drone components will be permitted without any approval, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced in a declaration late on Wednesday.
India last year eased rules on the usage of drones to make it susceptible to acquire licenses and enabled heavier payloads so the devices can surely be used as unmanned flying taxis. India will propose 1.2 billion rupees ($16 million) of incentives for drone makers under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s $20 billion plan to attract the world’s biggest brands to make their merchandise in India and send them to the world.
Rattanindia Enterprises Ltd., a local drone maker, said “India’s move will assist in making the South Asian nation a drone manufacturing centre. The recent regulations will allow better efficiency in supply chain operations, inventory and fund management,” the company announced in a statement on Thursday.
