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.
The trip, step by step
- 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.
- 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.