Key Details
India's drone strategy combines simpler regulations, skilled workforce development and manufacturing incentives to accelerate drone adoption.
Ecosystem Pillar | Major Measures | Current Progress |
|---|---|---|
Regulatory Liberalisation | Progressive amendments to the Drone Rules, 2021; replacement of Remote Pilot Licences with Remote Pilot Certificates (RPCs); removal of the mandatory Indian passport requirement; DigitalSky airspace zoning; UTM Policy Framework | Simplified regulatory framework with digital airspace management and easier access to pilot certification. |
Operational Capacity | Expansion of Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) and drone certification under the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS) | 274 DGCA-authorised RPTOs have trained 48,748 remote pilots, while 169 Type Certificates have been issued for drones serving multiple applications. |
Domestic Manufacturing | Drone PLI Scheme (2021–24) supporting Indian manufacturers and component suppliers | ₹98.32 crore utilised out of ₹120 crore, benefiting 23 MSMEs and domestic startups (12 drone manufacturers and 11 component manufacturers). |
Government Is Building a Comprehensive Drone Ecosystem
Replying to a Lok Sabha Question, the Ministry of Civil Aviation highlighted how India is expanding its drone ecosystem through a combination of regulatory reforms, institutional capacity building and domestic manufacturing support. The Government is pursuing complementary measures that seek to strengthen regulation, operational capability and industrial production simultaneously.
Together, these reforms aim to create an enabling ecosystem for wider adoption of drone technology across commercial, industrial and public-sector applications.
Regulatory Reforms Are Simplifying Drone Operations
Successive amendments to the Drone Rules, 2021 have progressively reduced compliance requirements for drone operators. Important changes include replacing Remote Pilot Licences with Remote Pilot Certificates and removing the mandatory Indian passport requirement for obtaining pilot certification.
The Government has also developed supporting digital infrastructure through the DigitalSky platform, which classifies airspace into Red, Yellow and Green Zones, and the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework, which supports the safe management of increasing low-altitude drone operations.
Training, Certification and Manufacturing Expand Ecosystem Capacity
Alongside regulatory reforms, the Government has expanded the operational ecosystem by authorising 274 Remote Pilot Training Organisations, which have trained nearly 49,000 remote pilots across the country. The Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems has also enabled DGCA to certify a growing range of drone platforms for commercial and public-sector use.
The Ministry further highlighted the contribution of the Drone PLI Scheme, under which 23 MSMEs and domestic startups have been selected for support. By encouraging indigenous manufacturing of drones and components, the scheme complements regulatory reforms with efforts to strengthen domestic industrial capability.
What Is the Drone PLI Scheme?
The Drone Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, implemented during 2021–24, provides financial incentives to eligible domestic drone and drone-component manufacturers to promote indigenous production, strengthen supply chains and improve the competitiveness of India's drone industry.
Policy Relevance
Integrated Drone Ecosystem: India's approach combines regulatory reform, skills development, certification, digital governance and manufacturing support to enable wider commercial adoption.
Regulatory Ease: Simplified rules and digital airspace management reduce compliance barriers while supporting safe drone operations.
Domestic Manufacturing Capability: The Drone PLI Scheme seeks to strengthen indigenous production, reduce import dependence and support MSMEs and startups.
Institutional Capacity: Expanding pilot training organisations and certification systems helps build the skilled workforce required for scaling drone operations.
Cross-Sector Applications: A stronger ecosystem can accelerate drone deployment in agriculture, logistics, infrastructure inspection, disaster management, mapping and public-service delivery.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What additional policy measures are needed to translate India's expanding drone manufacturing capacity and pilot-training ecosystem into wider commercial adoption across sectors?
Follow the Full Lok Sabha Reply Here: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question: Roadmap for Expansion of Drone Ecosystem