On 22 October 2024, at the inaugural of Amaravati Drone Summit, the Government of Andhra Pradesh unveiled its vision to make A.P. as India’s drone capital. For this, a 300 acre Drone Hub will be developed in Kurnool district. Importantly, drone flying skills will be imparted to nearly 35,000 for a lucrative career as drone pilots.
Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), started gaining prominence in India in the late 2000s, initially used by the military for surveillance and defense purposes. By the 2010s, commercial use of drones picked up momentum, driven by the rapid advancements in drone technology, affordability, and accessibility. Drones found applications in various sectors like agriculture, logistics, real estate, filmmaking, and disaster management.
India officially recognized the need to regulate and support the drone industry with the launch of the Drone Regulations 1.0 in 2018 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
2. Drone Regulations and Rules
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) governs drone operations in India through the DGCA. The primary framework for drone usage is outlined in the Drone Rules 2021, which simplified the complex regulations to encourage safe and efficient drone operations.
Key points include:
Classification of Drones: Based on weight, drones are classified as:
- Nano (up to 250g)
- Micro (250g to 2kg)
- Small (2kg to 25kg)
- Medium (25kg to 150kg)
- Large (above 150kg)
Registration and Licensing: Every drone operator must register their drone on the Digital Sky Platform, a national portal for drone registration. Licensing is mandatory for operators of drones except for Nano and Micro drones used for non-commercial purposes.
- Remote Pilot License (RPL) is required for operating Medium and Large drones.
No-Permission, No-Takeoff (NPNT): Drones can only fly if permission is granted through this platform.
Flight Zones:
- Green Zones: Up to 400 feet of altitude – no permission required.
- Yellow Zones: 8-12 km from airport boundaries – permission is required.
- Red Zones: No-fly zones, including near airports, military bases, and other restricted areas.
3. Drone Licensing in India
To become a certified drone operator, one needs to follow these steps:
- Eligibility: 18 years or older, must have passed 10th grade, and undergone certified training from an authorized drone training school.
- Application: Apply for the Remote Pilot License on the Digital Sky Platform.
- Training: Complete a training program consisting of both theory and practical components covering airspace knowledge, flight skills, and safety norms.
- Certification: Receive certification after passing the required exams.
4. Skills and Jobs in Different Sectors
The drone industry in India opens up a range of opportunities across various sectors:
Agriculture:
- Jobs: Drone operators for precision farming, crop monitoring, pesticide spraying.
- Skills: Remote sensing, GPS navigation, data analytics.
Media & Entertainment:
- Jobs: Drone pilots for aerial photography, videography, cinematography.
- Skills: High-level control skills, camera work, knowledge of film angles.
Logistics & Delivery:
- Jobs: Drone delivery operators, fleet managers.
- Skills: Fleet management, route optimization, autonomous flight programming.
Disaster Management:
- Jobs: Drone operators for search-and-rescue operations, real-time surveillance.
- Skills: Terrain mapping, live data transmission, rapid deployment.
Surveying and Mapping:
- Jobs: Drone surveyors for urban planning, land surveying, infrastructure projects.
- Skills: 3D modeling, geospatial mapping, GIS (Geographical Information Systems).
Security & Surveillance:
- Jobs: Security drone operators for patrolling and monitoring high-security areas.
- Skills: Real-time monitoring, threat assessment, and drone navigation.
5. Pay Packages in the Drone Sector
- Entry-level drone operators (with basic skills): ₹3 to ₹6 lakh per annum.
- Skilled drone pilots (with advanced training, operating in sectors like cinematography or precision agriculture): ₹6 to ₹12 lakh per annum.
- Drone engineers and developers: ₹8 to ₹18 lakh per annum, depending on experience and sector.
- Senior positions or drone fleet managers: ₹15 to ₹25 lakh per annum.
6. Safety and Security Norms
Anti-Collision Measures: Drones must be equipped with anti-collision lights, GPS, and return-to-home (RTH) capabilities.
Privacy Protection: Operators need to ensure that drones are not used for unauthorized surveillance or recording.
Restricted Areas: Clear guidelines must be followed to avoid flying in sensitive zones (military, airports, etc.).
Insurance: Commercial drone operators are required to have third-party liability insurance to cover damages caused by drone operations.
Drone Identification: Each drone must have a unique identification number (UIN) linked to its operator for traceability in case of violations.
7. Future of Drones in India
India’s drone industry is expected to grow exponentially, driven by several key factors:
- Government Initiatives: The Drone Shakti scheme under the Union Budget 2022-23 aims to boost drone startups, promoting manufacturing and service-based drone enterprises.
- Integration with AI and IoT: Drones integrated with artificial intelligence and IoT will provide real-time data analytics, improve autonomous navigation, and open up new applications in smart cities, defense, and healthcare.
- Drone Taxis and Passenger Drones: Companies like Ehang and Volocopter have shown interest in the development of urban air mobility in India.
- Agricultural Drone Use: With initiatives like Digital India and Smart Farming, drones will play a vital role in making Indian agriculture more technology-driven and sustainable.
With proper regulation, investment in infrastructure, and an increase in skilled labor, India is on its way to becoming one of the global leaders in drone technology.
SANJAY NANNAPARAJU
+91 98484 34615
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