New Drone Policy 2021: The New Drone Policy has been announced. Under the new Drone Rules 2021, no security clearance is required before registration or licence issuance.

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ANI has tweeted about the announcement of the Drone Rules 2021 from its official Twitter handle. The tweet said, "New Drone Policy announced. Under Drone Rules 2021, no security clearance is required before registration or licence issuance. Fees for permissions reduced to nominal levels. Maximum penalty reduced to Rs 1 lakh, not applicable to penalties in respect of violation of other laws."

 

ANI has also reported that an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Promotion Council to be set up to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime. ANI tweeted, "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Promotion Council to be set up to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime. Import of drones to be regulated by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade). Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries, under Drone Rules 2021."

 

The key takeaways from the Drone Rules 2021 are as follows:

1) Approvals abolished: unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, operator permits, authorisation of R&D organisation, remote pilot instructor authorisation, drone port authorisation, import permission for drone components

2) Coverage of drones under Drone Rules 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg to include heavy payload-carrying drones and drone taxis.

3) No security clearance required before any registration or licence issuance.

4) Fees for permissions reduced to nominal levels

5) The number of forms or permission reduced from 25 to 5.

6) Yellow zone reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter

7) Online registration of all drones to happen through digital sky platform

8) No pilot licence required for nano drones and micro drones for non-commercial use

9) Safety features like 'No permission - no take off' (NPNT), real time tracking beacon, geo-fencing and others to be notified later. A minimum of six-month lead time will be provided for compliance.

10) All drone training and examination to be carried out by authorised drone school. DGCA will prescribe training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licences online.