Nano
Up to 250 grams.
Drone law guide
Drone rules in India, explained simply.
By the NVX engineering team, New Delhi
Civil drones in India are governed by the Drone Rules, 2021, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 25 August 2021 and amended in 2022 and 2023. This guide covers what most owners and operators need to know: weight categories, registration, airspace zones, pilot certification, insurance and penalties. Always check the latest airspace map and rule text before you fly.
Weight categories under the Drone Rules, 2021
Drones are classified by maximum all-up weight, including payload. Your category decides which permissions and certificates apply.
Micro
More than 250 grams, up to 2 kg.
Small
More than 2 kg, up to 25 kg.
Medium
More than 25 kg, up to 150 kg.
Large
More than 150 kg. The rules cover drones up to 500 kg all-up weight.
Registration, type certificate and UIN
No one may operate a drone without first registering it and obtaining a Unique Identification Number (UIN), unless the rules exempt it. The operator is also responsible for making sure the drone conforms to a valid type certificate, issued under the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems notified in January 2022. Nano drones and model drones made for research or recreation are exempt from type certification. Registration, remote pilot certification, type certification and training-organisation approvals have been moved from the Digital Sky platform to DGCA's eGCA portal, while flight permissions and the airspace map remain on Digital Sky.
Get the UIN before you fly
Buying a drone does not register it. Ask the seller how the UIN is generated for your unit.
Keep the invoice
A GST invoice and the drone's serial details are needed for registration and transfer.
Transfer and deregistration
Selling or scrapping a drone must also be recorded online.
R&D exemption
Recognised R&D entities, educational institutions, DPIIT-recognised startups, authorised testing entities and drone manufacturers with a GSTIN do not need a type certificate, UIN, prior permission or remote pilot certificate for research, development and testing.
Green, yellow and red zones
India's airspace map for drone operations was released on 24 September 2021 and is freely available on the Digital Sky platform without login. Zone boundaries can change, so check the map every time you plan a flight.
Green zone
Airspace up to 400 feet (120 m) not marked red or yellow, and up to 200 feet (60 m) in the area 8 to 12 km from the perimeter of an operational airport. No permission is needed to fly in a green zone.
Yellow zone
Controlled airspace that needs permission from the concerned air traffic control authority. It includes airspace above 400 feet in a green zone, above 200 feet in the 8 to 12 km airport band, and above ground in the 5 to 8 km band.
Red zone
A no-drone zone. Flights are allowed only with permission from the Central Government.
Smaller restricted area
The yellow zone around airports was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter under the 2021 rules.
Pilot certificate, insurance and penalties
Three rules catch most new operators out.
Remote Pilot Certificate
Required to fly drones, except nano drones and micro drones flown for non-commercial use. Training is done at a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO).
Third-party insurance
The rules apply the third-party insurance provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to drones. Nano drones are exempt from this requirement.
Penalties
The maximum penalty under the Drone Rules for a violation is INR 1 lakh. Penalties under other laws, such as privacy or trespass, can apply separately.
No security clearance
The 2021 rules removed the need for security clearance before registration or certification.
Amendments and what is changing
The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, notified on 11 February 2022, replaced the remote pilot licence with a Remote Pilot Certificate issued through an authorised training organisation. The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023, notified on 27 September 2023, let applicants without a passport use a government-issued ID and address proof such as a voter ID, ration card or driving licence. In September 2025 the Ministry of Civil Aviation released a draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill for public comment. Until any new law is enacted and notified, follow the Drone Rules, 2021 as amended, and check civilaviation.gov.in and digitalsky.dgca.gov.in for updates.
FAQ
Drone Rules India: common questions
Do I need permission to fly a drone in India?
In a green zone, no flight permission is needed, though your drone still needs a UIN unless exempt, and you may need a Remote Pilot Certificate. Yellow zones need air traffic control permission and red zones need Central Government permission.
Do nano drones under 250 grams need a pilot certificate?
No. Nano drones, and micro drones flown for non-commercial use, do not need a Remote Pilot Certificate. You must still follow airspace rules.
Where do I check if an area is a no-fly zone?
Use the interactive airspace map on the Digital Sky platform (digitalsky.dgca.gov.in). It is free and needs no login. Check it before every flight because zones can change.
What is the maximum fine under the Drone Rules?
The Drone Rules cap the penalty for a violation at INR 1 lakh. Separate penalties may apply under other laws.
Is drone insurance mandatory in India?
Third-party insurance provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 apply to drone operations under the Drone Rules. Nano drones are exempt.
Does NVX help with compliance?
NVX can explain how its drones fit the rules and support training and demonstrations, but the operator remains responsible for registration, pilot certification and airspace permission.
Talk to NVX
Questions about drones? Ask the team that builds them.
Call +91 95609 21619, message us on WhatsApp, or visit us in Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Related