The central government has issued the Drone Rules 2021, which establish a far more permissive framework for unmanned aircraft systems than existed previously. Several procedures and permissions have been eliminated under the revised guidelines, a version of which was issued in July, and this is intended to simplify drone operations for civilian drone operators.
“The new Drone Rules usher in a landmark moment for this sector in India. The rules are based on the premise of trust and self-certification. Approvals, compliance requirements and entry barriers have been significantly reduced,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet.
“The new Drone Rules will tremendously help start-ups and our youth working in this sector. It will open up new possibilities for innovation & business. It will help leverage India’s strengths in innovation, technology & engineering to make India a drone hub,” he said.
The aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), prohibited civilian drones in October 2014. More than four years later, the government released a set of guidelines for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems
