Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Public Aviation, today presented the first type certificate (TC) under Drone Rules, 2021 at IoTechWorldAvigationPvt Ltd. The company in Gurugram was founded in April 2017 and is one of India’s leading manufacturers of kisan. drones. IoTech received the Certificate of Type in less than 34 days after submitting its online application to DGCA’s DigitalSky Platform on 11 May 2022. This is in addition to the fact that Drone Rules, 2021, allow 60 days for Quality Council of India (QCI) or bodies of Verification (CB) and 15 days in the DGCA for issuing a Certificate of Type (i.e. 75 days in total), provided that all required documentation and test reports are as specified.
The Drone Regulations, 2021 were announced on 25 Aug 2021 and the ‘Unused Aircraft Program Authorization Scheme (CSUAS)’ for Certificate Type (TC) for drones was announced on 26 Jan 2022.There are three internationally accredited (CB) certification bodies certified by QCI namely – TQ Cert, UL India and Bureau Veritas. Drone manufacturers are free to approach any Certificate Department to test their drone.The January 2022 drone certification program was developed by the Quality Council of India in consultation with drone beginners, industry, academics and defense professionals. Government has played the role of facilitator and problem solver.
The drone certification system is likely to create an eco-system for world-class drones to be produced in India and sold worldwide. There are 14 drone prototypes currently being tested for certification. The number of Certified Type Prototypes may exceed 100 over the next three years.
Speaking at the event, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia congratulated IoTechWorldAvigationPvt Ltd for the First Certificate of Type (TC) under Drone Rules, 2021. India has set itself the goal of becoming an airline by 2030 and the issuance of a 34-day certificate of type record is a step towards that. Other drone prototypes will also be certified soon, he added.
Global drone hub by 2030
Drones offer great benefits in almost every sector of the economy. These include- agriculture, mining, infrastructure, surveillance, emergency response, transportation, geo-spatial mapping, defense, and law enforcement to name a few.Drones can be important creators of employment and economic growth because of their accessibility, flexibility, and ease of use, especially in remote and inaccessible parts of India. Given its traditional power in innovation, information technology, cost-effective engineering; supportive policies, monetary benefits and a strong domestic demand base, India has the potential to become a world drone center by 2030.
Other drone variations :The Central Government has implemented a series of remedial measures, as follows:
a. The rules for the Liberalized Drone, 2021 were announced on 25 August 2021
b. The Drone Airspace map published on 24 September 2021, opens up about 90% of India’s airspace as a green airplane with a flight of 400 meters.
c. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program for drones was announced on 30th September 2021.
d. UAS Traffic Management Policy (UTM) Policy Framework published 24 October 2021
e. The grant plan for the purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the State Department of Agriculture on 22 January 2022.
f. All five application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 were made online on the DigitalSky Platform on 26 January 2022.
g. The Drone Certificate Program was announced on 26 January 2022, making it easy to obtain a standard certificate by drone manufacturers.
h. Mission ‘Drone Shakti’ was announced in support of drone implementation and the promotion of Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) as part of the Union’s budget on 1st February 2022.
i. Drone Import Policy was announced on 9th February 2022, prohibiting the importation of foreign drones and exempting imported drone components
j. The Drone (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 were promulgated on 11 February 2022, repealing the requirement for a pilot’s license.
k. Applications from the manufacturers of the PLI program for drones and drone parts were invited between 10-31 March 2022. The first interim list of beneficiaries was released on 20th April 2022.
