The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revealed the draft regulations on the civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems or drones across the country.

Under the new draft Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), drones weighing 250g or less are classified as nano-drones.

Drones with a maximum take-off weight of more than 250g and less than or equal to 2kg will fall under the micro category, while drones with a maximum take-off weight between 2kg and 25kg will be considered as mini-drones.

“After discussing with the stakeholders, the CAR is expected to be finalised and formalised by the end of December.”

The CAR has also categorised drones with a maximum take-off weight between 25kg and 150kg as small UAS, and drones that can carry more than 150kg of weight as large.

The draft is also proposing all drones to operate within visual line-of-sight during the day and below altitudes of 200ft.

It prohibits the dropping of any substance, as well as the carriage of hazardous material or animal or human payload from the sky.

In addition, the CAR has proposed registration of all commercial categories of drones with the DGCA, except for ones that fall under the nano category and those operated by government security agencies.

Registration of drones will be carried out in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) proposed policy, in the form of unique identification number (UIN).

Drones within mini and above categories are proposed to be required to have unmanned aircraft operator permit (UAOP), but the model aircraft up to maximum take-off weight of 2kg flown below 200ft inside educational institution premises will not require UIN/UAOP.

Remote pilots are also required to undergo requisite training, except for nano and micro categories.

The CAR is further proposing the drones classified as micro or higher to be equipped with radio-frequency identification/subscriber identity module (RFID/SIM), a return-to-home option and anti-collision lights.

Certain areas such as airports are have also been specified as restricted areas for drone operations.

After discussing with the stakeholders, the CAR is expected to be finalised and formalised by the end of December, reported Business Standard.