Drone ban ? Long term boon for India.
The civil aviation ministry of India has banned the import of drones except for those that are used for R&D purposes. However, drone manufacturers and operators based in India can continue production of drones within the country.
These drones will be governed by civil aviation rules until a new policy is rolled out. The government of India has come up with several mandates for drone use in India that will ultimately boost the drone industry in the country. Here is a look at all the new initiatives and guidelines.
New initiatives and guidelines.
The government of India has come up with several mandates for drone use in India that will ultimately boost the drone industry in the country. The government of India has released the second provisional list of 23 beneficiaries to its Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Drone Industry. The PLI scheme offers incentives to beneficiaries who meet the eligibility criteria as per their sales revenue and value addition in FY 2021-22.
The new drone rules, 2021 have eased regulations of drone operations in India by reducing the number of forms and fees charged from the operator. This has helped operators get access to the national airspace quicker and cheaper than ever before.
This has undoubtedly increased drone usage in India and made it one of the biggest drone markets globally.
With these initiatives, drones are set to play a huge role in Indian aviation and become an integral part of daily life of people across the country.
A series of reform measures undertaken to promote India’s upcoming drone industry
The Indian government has released two provisional lists of 23 beneficiaries to the Production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) to promote drone industry, with combined annual sales turnover of PLH 3.19 billion in 2021-22. The drone sector in India has been growing steadily over the past few years, with global companies such as DJI and FLYKING entering the market. The government’s support is expected to help rouse the local drone industry and foster technological innovation.
The aviation ministry has also proposed to ban import of drones from countries such as the United States, China, and Israel, which is likely to boost local production of drones. This measure would also create a level field for foreign manufacturers in India and help them expand operations in the country.
Moreover, the government has allocated INR 1.2 billion (US$16.32 million) for drone technology innovation over three years, which is hoped to encourage startups and new entrants into the drone market.
How will this ban affect the drone industry in India?
– The import of drones into India was banned on February 9, 2022. Today, domestic regulations for drones in the country have undergone a significant evolution, divided into three phases.
– Phase I drone regulations, prevalent from 2012-2015, required drone operators to obtain a permit and follow safety guidelines. This phase was phased out due to complaints of over-regulation and lack of clarity.
– Phase II drone regulations, valid from 2016-2021, requires drone operators to obtain a license and follow safety guidelines. This phase was phased out due to complaints of over-regulation and lack of clarity.
– Phase III drone regulations are currently in effect and require drone operators to obtain a license and follow safety guidelines. This phase is set to continue indefinitely.
The ban has encouraged private companies to develop their own drone technology, which has the potential to create new job opportunities in the drone industry.
The ban has also highlighted safety concerns surrounding drones and spurred government intervention to regulate its use in the country.
What are the potential consequences of this ban?
There is a potential of negative consequences of this ban. Non-compliance of drone rules would entail a fine of up to one lakh rupees, which may be levied by the government for failure to comply with the rules.
In February 2022, India has imposed a ban on import of foreign drones in an effort to bolster the domestic drone industry. This ban has been around for some time now and it will continue until further notice. The import of drones will not only help the domestic drone industry focus on innovation and research but also help it scale faster.
This ban is likely to help reduce accidents involving drones in the country by promoting safe operation of drones. The government may also issue guidelines for drone use and impose restrictions on how drones are used in specific areas, especially near airports and other critical infrastructure. In case of any violation of these guidelines or regulatory framework, the government may cancel or suspend any license, certificate, authorisation, or approval granted under Drone Rules.
What are the benefits of regulating drones rather than banning them?
Regulating drones rather than banning them has been gaining prominence due to the numerous advantages of doing so. While drone regulations are highly complex, the UAS rules of 2016 simplified the process of licensing drones for commercial purposes, thereby making it easy for startups and small businesses to become drone operators. With drone regulations in place, startups and small businesses can focus on pursuing their business goals rather than fiddling with drone regulations. The framework of drone regulations also ensures safety and security of the public and drones.
Between 2018 and 2019, various amendments were made to drone regulations 2.0 (D2), creating a paperless environment for registration of drones, owners, and pilots. Moreover, D2 has made it mandatory for all drone operators to obtain an unmanned aircraft operator permit (UAP) from the government within 45 days of starting operations.
The new drone rules have reduced the total fee payments to qualify as a drone operator from 72 to four. These regulations have also streamlined the process of acquiring licenses and permissions for drone operations using DigitalSky platform. This paperless approach has helped startups and small businesses get their drones certified quickly and easily without any hassle.
The D2 has also created a unique identification number (UIN) for each drone operator and UAP, which will help track any unauthorized drone or UAPs quickly across the country.
How will this ban affect the drone industry in India?
The import of drones will come to a halt on February 9, 2022. The ban is applicable to drones of all categories, which includes civil aviation drones, operation of drones in national airspace, drone for film-making and photography, drone for agriculture and mining purposes, drone for security purposes, drone for research purposes and drone for other purposes.
The drone industry in India is growing rapidly due to the government’s pro-drone policy. With a ban on import of drones, domestic players are expected to benefit from the ban. However, it won’t be easy for them as foreign companies are lobbying hard for an import ban.
There are also concerns about the safety of drones as there have been multiple cases of drones crashing down. Therefore, the regulation of drone is going to be critical under 3rd edition of rules (August 2021 to June 2022).</H2>
Final thoughts on the implications of the ban
The ban is intended to promote domestic drone manufacturing, which is expected to have rapid growth over the next decade. This ban has implications for both the import of drones and the use of drones in India. The import of drones is banned completely right now, making it difficult for those wishing to import drones under exemptions such as security purposes or research and development. The government entities involved in granting necessary clearances are also increasing the time taken to process them. Both of these factors are likely to reduce the number of drones being imported from foreign countries.
In terms of drone use, this ban is likely to have a significant impact on drone-related businesses. These business owners will be unable to import drones for commercial purposes, which could impact their businesses significantly. Thus, this ban could lead to a sharp decline in drone-related businesses in the country.
This ban is likely to have a long-term impact on drone usage in India, but it will take some time for it to manifest itself fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drone flying banned in India?
No, drone flying is not banned in India. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, drones are legal in India and the government has introduced rules on drone flying with the help of civil aviation requirements (CARs) for drones in India. The DGCA released these rules on August 27, 2018, making it mandatory for drone operators to be aware of them and comply with them.
The rules cover general aspects of drone operation such as altitude limits and flight paths. Furthermore, since February 18, 2022, import of foreign drones into India has been banned by the Indian government.
Therefore, drone flying is permissible in India provided that all rules and regulations mentioned by the DGCA are followed rigidly.
Is DJI drone banned in India?
Yes, drones are banned in India and drone operators must obtain permission from the government prior to take-off through the Digital Sky Platform. The ban was imposed by the Government of India on imports of all drones, components that can assemble to create drones, and related parts as of February 2022. Non-compliance of rules may result in a fine of up to INR 1,00,000.
To fly a DJI drone in India, drone registration is mandatory in India and requires an application on the Digital Sky Platform along with the fee specified in the Drone Rules 2021. Moreover, the imported drones must conform to a valid type certificate.
Why did India ban drone?
India recently announced a ban on foreign drones from February 9, 2022 to June 2022. This ban was issued by the Directorate General of Trade and has been put in place to pre-emptively address security risks associated with drones. The ban also applies to drone components and aims to protect the Indian drone industry by encouraging domestic production of drones.
Drones are allowed in India for research, defence, and security purposes only. The import of drone components is still permitted, as this is necessary to promote drone innovation and research within India.
Overall, the ban on drone import seeks to make India a global hub of drone research and development as well as to improve security measures.
Can I carry drone to India?
Due to security concerns, foreign citizens are not allowed to carry drones into India for commercial purposes. If you wish to use a drone in India for any commercial purposes, then you will have to lease it out to an Indian entity who will then have to obtain the required Unique Identification Number (UIN) and Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Aside from being regulated by aviation laws, drones can be used for various purposes in India, including but not limited to mapping, surveying, photography, videography, navigation, security and surveillance. It is important to remember that drones may only be used within permissible airspace and a no-fly zone has been declared over certain areas of India due to security reasons. So make sure you read up on local rules and regulations before carrying a drone into India.
Why is the new order banning drone import?
The Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) recently announced a ban on drone imports with effect from February 9, 2022. This import ban is in accordance with the Finance Act, 2021 to promote domestic drone manufacturing. It is applicable for drones in Completely Built-up Units (CBUs), Complete Knock Down Units (CKDs), and Semi-knocked Down Kits (SKDs) under HS Code 8806. However, there are exceptions for Research & Development purposes, Defence purposes, and security purposes.
India’s drone regulatory landscape has gone through three phases since 2014, the third phase being the Drone Rules, 2021, which were designed to encourage drone usage and promote responsible flying of drones within Indian airspace. The drone import ban is an extension of these rules as it sets up a great opportunity for indigenously manufactured drones to rise up and make their mark in the global market.
Is there a way to legally own drones in India?
Yes, there is a way to legally own drones in India. The Ministry of Civil Aviation allows the use of drones in India, as long as users abide by certain rules and regulations.
For foreign companies who wish to invest or own drone-related companies in India, the Indian government has issued a number of rules and regulations, including the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2021. These rules seek to ensure safety of drones in airspace, security of drone operations and efficient drone usage.
Moreover, the government has also imposed a ban on the import of drones in order to encourage the development of an indigenously built drone technology ecosystem. With this goal in mind, India is looking to become a global drone hub by 2030.
Conclusion
With the ban on drones in place, India’s security concerns and safety of people will be ensured. Further, this ban will help accelerate the development of drone technology in India by promoting innovation. The government of India has come up with several mandates for drone use in India that will ultimately boost the drone industry in the country. Here is a look at all the new initiatives and guidelines. So if you are planning to use drones for commercial purposes or want to import them for any other use, make sure you follow the rules and regulations that have been set by the government of India!