Drone Regulations in India

Introduction:

With the constant advancement of technology, the whole world is continuously being revolutionized. From the invention of bulbs to Led lights, telephones to smartphones, steam engine cars to electric self-driven cars, technology has been advancing at a very fast pace. One of those advancements is Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). UAV also known as drones are now being very common in our society, whether it be for civil, public, or even governmental purposes. It is so common that the global drone market is expected to reach 21.5 Billion US Dollars out of which almost 890 Million US Dollars by 2021.

Benefits of Drones

Drones are more than entertainment and photographic flying machines. Their capacity to move into troublesome positions, convey supplies into distant territories, and accumulate the gigantic amount of information is affecting how the open segment works. There is no end to how beneficial drones are. Some benefits of drones are mentioned below:

1. Aerial Photography and Videography: This is the most used reason for using drones. Photographers and Moviemakers use drones to grab images and videos from fresh and new perspectives and sides where the camera cannot usually reach, also reporters use drones to grab videos from where the news cannot reach.
2. Commercial Delivery and Shipping: Drones can be used for delivery so that costs and time for transport and labor can be reduced.
3. Military Research and Warfare: Governmental militaries use drones to track upcoming and plan future attacks. It has also been used for dropping airstrikes on other nations.
4. Agricultural Farming: Drones are also used for agricultural purposes. They are used for sprinkling water and also can be used to spray herbicides and fertilizers into farms so that crop yield can be increased.
5. Tracking Future Disasters: It can be used to track future disasters like tsunamis and cyclones so that the chaos can be secured and lives could be saved.

As the use of this technological advancement is growing, the need for having regulations over it is also needed. Many nations have policies that govern drone use and traffic in their airspace, like that India also has its regulation system that is explained below.

Drones in India

The office of Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Para 1.1 of the Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3- Air Transport Series X, Part I, Issue I, has defined the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) which is also known in layman terms as drones, are aircraft that are unmanned which can fly without a pilot flying it. People on the ground can only operate and pilot the aircraft. The operator controlling the RPA and the RPA itself combine to make a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.

The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) have been made by the DGCA under Rule 15A and Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. These requirements are made for national safety and personal privacy. For usage of drones for civil purposes, one should adhere to these requirements.

Types of Drones

RPA differs in weight that’s why there are different regulations for the variation. First, let’s see what kind of RPAS the CAR recognizes to exist.

1. Nano: A nano drone or RPA is one that weighs less than or equal to 250 grams.
2. Micro: A micro drone or RPA is one that weighs more than 250 grams or is equal to 2 kg.
3. Small: A small drone or RPA is one that weighs more than 2 kg or is equal to 25 kg.
4. Medium: A medium drone or RPA is one that weighs more than 25 kg or is equal to 150 kg.
5. Large: A large drone or RPA is one that weighs more than 150 kg.

UIN and UAOP

A Unique Identification Number (UIN) and Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) is needed for civil RPAS to be operated within our country

 Requirements and guidelines for a UIN or a UAOP to be issued to a drone are mentioned below:

1. A nano drone doesn’t need a UIN or a UAOP to be owned and if flown up to 50ft high
2. A micro-drone doesn’t need a UAOP if flown up to the height of 200 ft
3. A person is to be a citizen of India to own a drone.
4. Any company registered in India and operated its business in India with its chairman and two-third of its directors should be citizens of India and should be owned by Indians can get a UIN
5. Any company registered anywhere other than India can get a UIN only if it leases its RPAS to any Indian Organisation.
6. Any RPAS owned by the government or a governmental-issued organization doesn’t require a UIN number

How to apply for UIN

A person can apply for a UIN by applying by using the Digital Sky platform. With that, any entity applying for a UIN should get security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs or another way would be to submit self-attested copies of identity proofs such as Aadhar card instead of the MHA clearance. If the verification of the above documents is complete and correct, the UIN would be issued in 2 working days.

How to apply for a UAOP

A UIN is needed to own a drone, though, to fly the RPA, one needs to obtain Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit. To apply for that, an application can be filed to the Digital Sky Platform for the issuance. To do that, the operator of the RPA must complete the following:

• Submission of clearance by MHA or self-attested copies of identity proofs such as Aadhar, passport, or driving license.
• Details of Insurance should be submitted by the operator.
• Must abide by the Para 12 of the Civil Aviation Requirements which includes standard operating procedures.
• Must have done the security program as approved by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
• Permission from the landowner from where the drone must be taken off from and landed to should be submitted.

If the application is accepted and verified, the DGCA will issue an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit within 7 years and would be valid for 5 years from the issuance date.

No permission No Takeoff (NPNT)

An RPAS can only be operated if a certain permission is given to the operator. This permission clause is called “No Permission, No Takeoff” and is given by applying through the Digital Sky Platform. Also, it has categorized the airspace based on permission into three divisions.

1. Any airspace near airports, international borders, and other unpermitted areas are called Red zones, where no RPA can be flown.
2. Any airspace where a permit is required for an RPA to be flown is called a Yellow Zone. For example- Defence Clearance
3. Any airspace where no permission is required except the one taken from the Digital Sky platform to be flown is called the Green Zone, where any RPA can be flown.

Alternative uses of Drones: Battle with COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought a new drastic problem to the world, people are to be socially distanced, and are to stay at home. The need for a commercial and medicinal use of drones has been increased radically.

The above-mentioned regulations are to be used for civil purposes, although, there have been resolutions and policies for the regulation and the activity of drones for commercial purposes. The Ministry of Civil Aviation had issued a policy on January 15, 2019, regarding the commercialization of drones in India. This policy has allowed the drones to fly Beyond the Visual Line of Sight which was before only for the Visual Line of Sight so that any delivery company can be in the range of their customers. Another resolution under this policy is to segregate both manned and unmanned aircraft airspace, this is done so that the different uses for drones can be done and to manage air-traffic, UAS traffic management system is proposed.

In 2019, DCGA in a notice has invited organizations to be a part of the experimentation of BVLOS drones flying in India. Organizations like Swiggy, Tata, and Zomato have accepted the invitation. In June 2020, Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2020, has accepted many rules that were proposed in 2019 by the policy of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Conclusion

During these times, the need for more and more resolutions and regulations are required for drones as there has been a vast expansion in the drone industry. Privacy and safety of individuals are being infringed and nations safety has been at risk. Also, the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 has introduced more challenges towards the use of drones. The government should speed up the process for the BVLOS experiments so that the use of drones for commercial purposes is to be started. Data protection and privacy laws should also be included in the future drone policies so that personal safety can be secured. Although regulations have been made for better management of drones, the delay in response by the government is affecting the drone market very much. In my opinion, there should be a specific committee made to study the RPA field and the implementation of regulations so that an independent RPA ecosystem is established. Also, our country should make more provisions regarding the manufacturing of drones in our country and should support make in India for drones.