DGCA India
India
Strict or complexComplete-drone imports prohibited; DigitalSky controls lawful flights
Do not bring a complete drone into India as a tourist. India prohibits most complete-drone imports. If you are operating an eligible aircraft already lawfully in India, register it and check DigitalSky before every flight.
Bring it
DGFT policy prohibits importing complete drones in CBU, SKD, or CKD form except for narrow authorized institutional, R&D, defense, and security cases. Drone components remain free to import.
Register it
Register eligible aircraft through DigitalSky and obtain a UIN before operation unless an express exemption applies.
Fly it
An eligible UAS must be registered on DigitalSky and receive a UIN unless a specific exemption applies. A Remote Pilot Certificate is not required for nano UAS or for micro UAS used non-commercially.
Map check
Check DigitalSky before every flight. Green zones require no prior airspace permission within the published ceiling; yellow zones require the relevant ATC authority's permission; red zones require Central Government permission.
Before you travel
- 01Do not travel with a complete drone unless a narrow authorized import exception applies.
- 02For eligible aircraft already lawfully in India, confirm UIN, type certification, and pilot-certificate requirements.
- 03Check DigitalSky before every flight and obtain yellow- or red-zone permission where required.
Operating notes
- Max altitude
- Green-zone operations may extend to 400 ft / 120 m, except the area 8-12 km from an operational airport is green only up to 200 ft / 60 m.
- Recreational
- An eligible UAS must be registered on DigitalSky and receive a UIN unless a specific exemption applies. A Remote Pilot Certificate is not required for nano UAS or for micro UAS used non-commercially.
- Commercial work
- Commercial operation requires the applicable UIN, type certification, Remote Pilot Certificate, and zonal permission. The micro-UAS pilot-certificate exemption applies only to non-commercial operation.
- Airspace
- Check DigitalSky before every flight. Green zones require no prior airspace permission within the published ceiling; yellow zones require the relevant ATC authority's permission; red zones require Central Government permission.