Drones
67 posts in this category.
Inside India's drone type certification framework: how DGCA, QCI and CSUAS work together
Drone type certification in India is a mandatory approval issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) through the DigitalSky platform. It ensures drone models meet safety, airworthiness, and quality standards under the Drone Rules, 2021. The certification is required for most drone manufacturers and importers in India. However, Nano drones below 250g and recreational model drones are generally exempt from this requirement.
Read article →How to read India's drone airspace zone map before every flight
India’s drone airspace is divided into three zones: Green, Yellow, and Red - managed via the Digital Sky Platform. Green zones (up to 400 ft) require no permission for sub-500kg drones. Yellow zones (near airports/controlled airspaces) require authorisation, and Red zones are strictly prohibited. ~90% of Indian airspace is open as green zones.
Read article →How India's UTM framework is managing low-altitude drone traffic
India’s Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) framework is a digital system developed under the Ministry of Civil Aviation to manage drone traffic safely. It mainly covers low-altitude airspace up to 1,000 feet. The framework supports real-time drone tracking, automated flight approvals, and collision avoidance systems. It helps manage the growing use of drones in logistics, surveillance, mapping, agriculture, and other commercial operations across India.
Read article →How to register a drone on eGCA in India: the complete walkthrough
Drone registration in India now begins on the eGCA portal. Since the July 2025 platform split between eGCA and DigitalSky, every operator must complete eGCA drone registration before applying for NPNT-based flight permissions - and most failures happen before the first document is uploaded.
Read article →DigitalSky and NPNT Explained After India's Drone System Split
DigitalSky is India’s official online platform for managing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations. NPNT, or No Permission No Take-off, is a mandatory software framework linked to this platform. It prevents drones from taking off without digital approval. The system mainly applies to drones above 250g. It helps improve airspace safety, compliance, and authorized drone operations across India.
Read article →India's drone laws in 2026: registration, penalties, and operator compliance
India’s Drone Rules 2021 and 2022 amendments require UIN registration for drones above 250g. Most non-nano drone operations also need a Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must get digital approvals through the DigitalSky platform. Key rules include a maximum flight height of 120m (400 ft), restricted no-fly zones near airports and borders, and mandatory direct visual line-of-sight during drone flights.
Read article →Drone Categories in India by Weight: Nano, Micro, Small, Medium & Large
Drones in India are mainly classified by weight, from Nano to Large, and by airframe type such as Multi-rotor, Fixed-wing, and Hybrid VTOL. These drones are widely used in agriculture, surveillance, defence, mapping, and delivery operations. Multi-rotor drones are common for photography and crop spraying. Fixed-wing drones are used for long-range mapping and monitoring. VTOL drones support flexible surveillance and industrial operations.
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