NEW DELHI: The Indian government has facilitated the establishment of 164 Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) across the country to meet the growing demand for drone pilots. Among these, 24 are government-operated. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees the authorisation of RPTOs under the Drone Rules, 2021, ensuring compliance for remote pilot training and certification.
While there is no dedicated grant or incentive scheme for drone training under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the government has been actively promoting drone technology in various sectors. However, no national policy for research and development in drone technology is currently under consideration.
To boost drone usage in agriculture, disaster management, and tourism including the liberalisation of Drone Rules in 2021, a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage drone manufacturing, and a global certification framework for unmanned aircraft. Additionally, regulatory changes have simplified drone ownership by allowing voter IDs, ration cards, or driving licences as proof of identity for pilot certification and registration.
The government has designated green zones where no special permission is required, while operations in yellow and red zones require clearances from air traffic control and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, respectively. DGCA has also certified 101 different unmanned aircraft models, 70 of which are dedicated to agricultural applications, reflecting a strong push for drones in precision farming and rural development.
