Understanding Drone Regulations in India
Stay compliant with DGCA regulations. Learn about drone categories, airspace zones, permits, and legal requirements for drone operations in India.
Visit Digital Sky PortalDrone Categories by Weight
Regulations vary based on the takeoff weight of your drone
- No registration required
- No pilot license required
- Fly below 50ft AGL only
- No flying over groups of people
- UIN registration required
- No pilot license for non-commercial
- RPC required for commercial use
- Max altitude 200ft AGL
- UIN registration mandatory
- RPC mandatory
- UAOP for commercial operations
- Third-party insurance mandatory
- UIN + Type Certificate required
- RPC mandatory
- UAOP mandatory
- Flight plan approval required
- Full aviation certification
- Treated as manned aircraft
- Special airworthiness certificate
- Comprehensive insurance
Airspace Zones
India's airspace is divided into color-coded zones for drone operations
Green Zone
Automatic permission to fly
Up to 400ft AGL, VLOS only
Yellow Zone
Permission required via ATC
Controlled airspace, requires approval
Red Zone
No-fly zone
Airports, military, strategic locations
Key Regulations
Registration Requirement
All drones above 250g must be registered on Digital Sky platform and have a unique UIN
Remote Pilot Certificate
Commercial drone operators must hold a valid RPC issued after completing DGCA-approved training
Insurance Requirement
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all drones above 250g
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Drones must be operated within visual line of sight unless special BVLOS approval is obtained
Maximum Altitude
Default maximum altitude is 400ft AGL in green zones, lower in other zones
No-Fly Zones
Flying prohibited near airports, military installations, and strategic locations
Penalties for Violations
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Flying without registration | Up to ₹25,000 |
| Flying without RPC (commercial) | Up to ₹50,000 |
| Flying in red zone | Up to ₹1,00,000 |
| Endangering aircraft/people | Criminal prosecution |
| Repeated violations | Seizure of drone + prosecution |
Important Disclaimer
This page provides a general overview of DGCA drone regulations. Regulations may change, and specific operations may require additional permits. Always verify current requirements on the official Digital Sky platform before flying.
Official DGCA WebsiteNeed Help with Compliance?
Connect with certified pilots and experts on Drone Connect who can guide you through the compliance process.
