New Drone Rules to replace Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rules 2021

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rules 2021 will be replaced by the new Drone Rules. The decision was welcomed by stakeholders saying this would simplify procedures and ease the compliance burden, The Economic Times, reported on Thursday. The new rules were announced in July this year. Currently, the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) is making final changes to the new rules as sought by the industry and other government agencies. The rules would be notified by the end of this month.

Earlier, the publication had reported in July that the ministry had given time for the public until August 5 to submit their suggestions and objections to the draft rules, and was planning to notify them by August 15.

DFI and Nasscom seek exemptions on drones used for recreation

The draft policy’s feedback which was analysed by Nasscom and the Drone Federation of India (DFI), (representing around 200 drone companies and 2000 drone pilots), had said that the industry had sought clarity on the ban on imports of fully-built drones, provide exemptions for use of drones for recreation as well as indoors and timelines for granting permission to fly in yellow, green and red zones.

DFI also said that exports of drones and indigenous manufacturing should be promoted, with inclusions made in the Drone Rules 2021.

Nasscom had sought a process that enables registration of drones in the micro and nano categories where they have been assembled by individuals for hobby purposes. It had also asked for specific exemptions from drone rules in cases where the devices are used for recreational purposes and in racing competitions.

The technology industry body had previously said that the application of drones indoors is a massive opportunity, as only few companies work on solutions globally and must therefore be given exemptions to facilitate development and research in this area.