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ARTICLE · 06 OCTOBER 2025

Drone Law In India: Legal Framework And Regulatory Overview

Athena Legal
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Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (Act No. 16 of 2024) (the "BVA"), which replaced the Aircraft Act, 1934, along with the Drone Rules, 2021 ("Drone Rules"), as amended from time to time, provide the regulatory framework for drones in India.

IndiaTransport
Siddharth Mahajan
Siddharth Mahajan
Rishabh Sharma
Rishabh Sharma
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  1. Governing Legislation

1.1. Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (Act No. 16 of 2024) (the "BVA"), which replaced the Aircraft Act, 1934, along with the Drone Rules, 2021 ("Drone Rules"), as amended from time to time, provide the regulatory framework for drones in India. The BVA came into force in January of 2025, providing the overarching statutory framework for aviation regulation in India, including unmanned aircraft systems.

  1. Scope and Applicability

2.1. The term "Drone" refers to an Unmanned Aircraft System ("UAS") as defined under Rule 3(i) of the Drone Rules. UAS is defined as an aircraft that is capable of operating either autonomously or through remote operation, without a pilot on board.

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