Govt unveils draft norms for drones; proposes unique IDs, radio frequency tags

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New Delhi: The government on Wednesday unveiled draft norms for the unmanned aircraft systems. The regulations, once finalised, would permit commercial use of drones in the country. 

Drones for civilian use will require a unique identification number as well as radio frequency tags.

Nano drones, those weighing below 250 grams, would be exempt from seeking one-time approval, including the unique number requirement, as per the final draft rules prepared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Drones have been classified into five categories, with those weighing up to 250 gram described as 'nano'.

Those weighing more than 250 gram and up to two kilogram would be classified as 'micro' while 'mini' would be those having weight of over 2 kilogram and less than or equal to 25 kilogram.

'Small' drones would be those weighing up to 150 kilogram and above that threshold would be classified as 'large', as per PTI.

Besides "RFID/SIM", drones should have return to home option and anti-collision lights, as per the draft rules.

RFID (radio frequency identification) is used for the identification purpose electronically.

Apart from barring these drones to be operated within 5 kilometre of an airport, they would be restricted from "within 50 kilometre from international border and beyond 500 metre (horizontal) into sea along the coastline".

Drones would not be allowed within "5 kilometre radius from Vijay Chowk (in national capital)" and also from a mobile platform such as a moving vehicle, ship or aircraft.

"We are making the rules very very user-friendly," Civil Aviation Secretary RN Choubey told reporters.

Noting that the draft norms have been prepared after extensive consultations internally, he said the final and formal Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for drones is expected to be in place by December-end.

Various restrictions have been proposed to ensure that drones are used only for valid purposes and there would be 'no drone zones'.

"All drones are proposed to be operated in visual line of sight, during day time only and below 200 feet," the ministry said in a release.

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

Time for some exciting action in the sky - we will issue draft regulations for use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) at 4:30 pm today. — Ashok Gajapathi Raju (@Ashok_Gajapathi) November 1, 2017

On the other hand, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said, "We have taken a major step regarding drone policy today. We have studied various policies from all across the globe and formulated a drone policy which would encourage this industry. It is on website for public consultation. I believe by January 1 we'll be able to implement it," ANI reported.

"Drone is such a technology that has several purposes. The kind of experimentation that is happening with drone has led to expectations that the delivery of products of e-commerce, medical supplies, photography, shall happen through drones in future. As far as our country is concerned, we need to put some restrictions considering safety measures to avoid misuse of drone. We needed to balance the fact that drone industry should be promoted while also the misuse is avoided," he added.

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.

The draft norms would be put up for public consultations for a month. 

(With Agency inputs)