Govt issues draft norms for drones

November 01, 2017 20:09

After long drawn discussions, the civil aviation ministry today unveiled draft norms for operating drones for civilian purposes in the country.

The unmanned aerial system, commonly known as drones, would require unique identification numbers, according to final draft rules prepared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Nano drones, those weighing below 250 grams, would be exempt from seeking one time approval, including the issuance of unique identification number.

"We are making the rules very very user friendly," civil aviation secretary R N Choubey told reporters, adding that the draft norms have been prepared after extensive consultations internally.

After stakeholder consultations, the final and formal Civil Aviation Requirements for drones is expected to be in place by December end, he said.

Various restrictions have been proposed to ensure that the drones are used only for valid purposes. There would be 'no drone zones' that includes 50 kilometres from the international border.

Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju expressed hope that the draft norms would encourage genuine and "discourage nefarious activities".

Currently, aircraft rules do not cover use of drones as well as their sale and purchase. Aviation regulator DGCA had in October 2014 restricted the use of drones and unmanned aircraft system by civilians. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

SC asks EC to look into EVM glitch favouring BJP in mock polls in Kerala

The Election Commission of India said that reports of EVM showing one extra vote during a mock poll were false.

CSK's Conway out of IPL 2024; Gleeson named replacement

Devon Conway had suffered a fractured left thumb during the T20I series against Australia in February and had undergone surgery for the same.

Long jumper Sreeshankar out of Paris Olympics with injury

Murali Sreeshankar has been ruled out of Paris Olympics after sustaining a knee injury during training.

IPL 2024: Injured Maxwell unlikely to play against KKR

Glenn Maxwell pulled out of RCB's previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad stating that 'physical and mental toll probably just wore me down a little bit'.

'Great hatred for word M': Owaisi on BJP's manifesto

'They have not mentioned the word minorities. They say scholarships will be given to marginalised communities'