Here Is How Restrictive Laws Will Stifle Drone Industry

To be eligible to fly a drone, a remote pilot is required to have attained 18 years and have undergone thorough ground training and practical training.

In 2014, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a public notice announcing its intention to release guidelines to regulate the civil use of unmanned aircraft. The notice clarified that until the formulation of regulations, a blanket ban will be levied on the civil use of drones by private parties. Further, in 2016 the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) also restricted the import of drones. The civilian use and import of drones was thus banned in India.

In 2016, the DGCA released draft guidelines which proposed to legalise the flying of drones and at the same time regulate them. However, such draft guidelines never became law and were replaced by new draft guidelines released in 2017. The civil use and import of drones continues to be banned in India as of now. As per news reports, these