FAQ
RPAS is a layman terminology for Unmanned Aircraft (UA). There are three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft.
a) Remotely Piloted Aircraft
b) Autonomous Aircraft
c) Model Aircraft
An aircraft and its associated elements, which are operated with no pilot on board are called an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
RPAS is one subset of UAS. A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control links and any other components, as specified in the type design.
Civil RPA is categorized in accordance with MTOW (including payload) as indicated below:
Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams.
Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kg.
Small: Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg.
Medium: Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg.
Large: Greater than 150 kg.
Any entity intending to import RPAS in India shall obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunication for operating in the delicensed frequency band(s). Such approval shall be valid for a particular make and model.
The applicant, other than the Nano category, shall apply to DGCA along with ETA for import clearance. Based upon the import clearance issued by DGCA, DGFT shall issue a license for the import of RPAS.
NPNT or ‘No Permission – No Take-off’ is a software program that enables every RPA (except Nano) to obtain valid permission through the DigitalSky platform before operating in India. Please contact your OEM/ Manufacturer for complying with this requirement.
Controlled airspace is an airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC services are provided.
Uncontrolled airspace is airspace where an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service is not necessary or cannot be provided for practical reasons.
ETA from WPC Wing is required for all wireless equipment working in the de-licensed frequency band(s) in India. Ensure to get ETA from the seller or manufacturer of RPA which is required to be uploaded while applying for UIN.
UIN is a unique identification number issued by DGCA for a particular RPA (except Nano).
For UIN: – One thousand Indian Rupees (Rs.1000/-)
For fresh UAOP: – Twenty-Five Thousand Rupees (Rs.25,000/-)
You need to make the payment via the Bharatkosh website. You need to mention the transaction receipt number and upload a copy of the payment receipt in DigitalSky Platform at the time of your application.
For Nano, no UIN is required. However, for the micro category and above, UIN is required.
UAOP is Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit.
All operators other than exempted categories mentioned below are required to obtain UAOP from DGCA: –
Operators of Nano &Micro category in uncontrolled airspace/ enclosed premises up to 50ft and 200ft respectively
RPA operated by NTRO, ARC, and Central Intelligence Agencies
Five years.
The operator of all RPA except Nano RPA will notify any incident/accident involving RPA via occurrence report to the concerned authorities.
No. The operator has to apply for fresh UIN.
For Security clearance, apply as per the form available in the CAR on RPAS or Use eSahaj– Online portal for processing security clearance applications available in DGCA homepage www.dgca.nic.in
Nano RPA (less than 250 gm) is exempted from obtaining UIN and UAOP. Please ensure not to fly it beyond 50 ft (15m) AGL. Also, ensure you are not flying in controlled airspace and no other manned or unmanned aircraft is flying nearby. If operations to be done in controlled airspace you need to apply for UIN, UAOP and your RPA must be NPNT compliant. It is recommended to fly in uncontrolled airspace/ enclosed premises and go through Do’s and Don’ts every time before you fly.
You need to obtain UIN.
You will not require an UAOP if you are flying your RPA below 200 ft (60m) AGL in uncontrolled airspace/ enclosed premises. However, you shall intimate the local police office at least 24 hours prior to conduct of actual operations.
Your RPA needs to be NPNT compliant and you have to obtain permission through DigitalSky before flying.
If you have a micro RPA, flying within enclosed premises and below 200ft then; you need to apply for a UIN and to intimate local police before operating your RPA. You will require UAOP and NPNT if you are flying in controlled airspace.
Also ensure, no other manned or unmanned aircraft is flying nearby.
Not allowed as of now.
Not allowed as of now.
You should have attained 18 years of age, having passed the 10th exam in English, and undergone training at DGCA approved flying training organization (FTO).
SOP or standard operating procedure is a catalog of procedures that is agreed between prospective UAOP holders and DGCA for safe operation of RPAs in India.
Generally, 450m (unaided) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with minimum ground visibility of 5 km.
All RPA operations are restricted to day light and within visual line of sight. However, if you are shooting in well-lit enclosed premises using micro RPA up to 200 ft. AGL is allowable. Ensure your RPA is NPNT compliant and issued with UIN. Also, you need to inform local police before flying.
Ensure that you follow Do’s and Don’ts and respect individuals’ privacy.
Areas over which flying an RPA is prohibited/ restricted. Please go through the list of RPA zones in Civil Aviation Requirements.
You need to keep at least a 25 km distance from the international border which includes Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL).
Flying RPA over no-RPA zones is prohibited. However, DGCA may authorize such operations on a case-to-case basis subject to approval of MoD.
DGCA may authorize such operation on a case-to-case basis subject to the adequate justification provided by you for the safe conduct of RPAS operation. Please note, DGCA may impose additional conditions for permitting such operations.
In addition, you may test your RPA in the test sites specified in the Civil Aviation Requirements.
In case of violation of the rules and regulations for RPAs, the UIN/UAOP issued by DGCA shall be suspended/canceled.
Violation of compliance to any of the requirements and falsification of records/documents shall attract penal action including imposition of penalties as per applicable IPCs (such as 287, 336, 337, 338 or any relevant section of IPC) or Aircraft Act 1934 or Aircraft Rules 1937 or any statutory provisions.
You can lodge your grievance by clicking “File a Grievance“ link in the Digitalsky website portal.