Draft Drone Rules, 2021 

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• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has released ‘The Drone Rules, 2021’ for public consultation. The Drone Rules, 2021 will replace the UAS Rules 2021. 

Key Highlights: 

• As per new rules, there will be the minimal human interface on the digital sky platform and most permissions will be self-generated. 

• It will also notify safety features such as ‘No Permission – No Take-off’ (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing, etc. in the future. 

• Under the rules, the import of drones & drone components will be regulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. 

• All drone training and testing will be carried out by an authorized drone school. 

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will prescribe training requirements, look after drone schools and provide pilot licenses online. 

Three zones in airspace map 

• The entire airspace of India has been segregated into three zones for drone operations and is published in the digital sky platform. The three different zones include: 

• Green zone: This zone means the airspace from the ground up to a vertical distance of 400 feet (120 meters) above ground level (AGL) that has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map for drone operations. 

• Yellow zone: It is the controlled airspace where drone operations are restricted and shall require permission from the concerned air traffic control authority. 

• Red zone: It is the airspace where drone operations shall be permitted only under exceptional circumstances by the Central Government.