Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in India:

The laws are quite detailed and explicit, and you should review them before flying a drone in India.

Foreign Drones / Drone India / Drone Policy India

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Indian Government has banned the import of foreign drones with rare exceptions allowed for research, and government use.

Drone Categories in India

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in India fall into three categories, namely:––

1. airplane;
2. rotorcraft; and
3. hybrid unmanned aircraft system.

They are further broken into sub-categories as follows:––

1. remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS);
2. model remotely piloted aircraft system (MRPAS); and
3. autonomous unmanned aircraft system (AUAS).

UAS are also grouped into classifications. Classifications are based on the maximum all-up weight, including payload. The classifications are as follows: 

1. Nano unmanned aircraft system. These weigh less than or equal to 250 grams. You do not require permits or license to fly a nano except in controlled airspace. You must ensure that you do not fly any nano drone beyond 50 ft (15m) Above Ground Level (AGL). 
2. Micro unmanned aircraft system. These drones weigh over 250 grams but less than or equal to 2 kilograms. No permits are required for recreational use. Commercial usage and flights in controlled airspace require 
3. Small unmanned aircraft system. These SUAS weigh more than 2 kilograms but less than or equal to 25 kilograms;
4. Medium unmanned aircraft system. The MUAS weigh more than 25 kilograms but less than or equal to 150 kilograms, and
5. Large unmanned aircraft system weighing more than 150 kilograms.

Registration is required for all but the Nano category.

Drone Registration in India

General.–– 

1. First, register your drone on the digital sky platform. Get a unique identification number unless exempted. Do not operate a drone without doing this first.
2. The Director-General keeps a record of all registered unmanned aircraft systems. And that record includes the unique identification number issued.
3. The drone operator must ensure that the drone has a valid type certificate. 

Application and procedure for drone registration India:

1. Make an application in Form D-2 on the digital sky platform along with the fee specified in rule 46. Provide requisite details. Include the unique number of the type certificate of the unmanned aircraft system.
2. The digital sky platform will verify the details. They will issue a unique identification number to the applicant.
3. The unique identification number of a UAS is linked to its unique serial number. It is also linked to the unique serial numbers of its flight control module and remote pilot station.
4. If you change the flight control module or remote pilot station, you must update digital sky. You have to update the unique serial number of the new flight control module or remote pilot station. You have seven days after you have replaced these items. Or, you must do so before you fly the unmanned aircraft system, if earlier. 

Remote Pilot Certificate in India (previously Remote Pilot License or Drone License India)

General.

You can fly drones up to 2kg for non-commercial drone use without a pilot certificate. All other drone uses require a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). The RPC must be valid and enlisted on Digital Sky.

Classification

The RPC identifies the category, sub-category, and classification of the unmanned aircraft system. It will identify combinations of these if applicable.

Eligibility

An individual will be eligible to get a remote pilot certificate if they––

• are not less than eighteen years of age and not more than sixty-five years of age;
• have passed the class tenth examination. Or its equivalent from a recognized Board; and
• Have completed training from any authorised remote pilot training organization.

Procedure for obtaining a remote pilot certificate

1. Complete the training for your desired category, sub-category, or class. 
2. Pass the tests conducted by the authorised remote pilot training organization.
3. Within seven days of successful completion, the training organization will apply for your RPC. They will fill in Form D-4 on the Digital Sky platform. Pay the fee as specified in rule 46. 
4. You will be issued a remote pilot certificate through the digital sky platform.
5. Your remote pilot certificate is issued within fifteen days.

Note: you are not required to get a certificate from DGCA separately after training from a DGCA-approved drone training institute. After passing the course, you will get a ‘Remote Pilot Certificate’ from the DGCA-approved drone training institute, making you eligible to fly micro drones for commercial purposes.

Validity of Certificate

A remote pilot certificate will––

• be valid only if it is enlisted on the digital sky platform;
• unless suspended or cancelled, remain valid for a period of ten years;
• be renewed for a maximum period of ten years, on payment of fee as specified in rule 46:

You must take refresher courses as may be specified on the digital sky platform from time to time.

Exemption from obtaining a certificate

No remote pilot certificate will be required for

• operating a nano unmanned aircraft system and
• A micro unmanned aircraft system for non-commercial purposes.

Insurance Requirements

The rules and laws in the Motor Vehicles Act from 1988 apply to UAS. The insurance rules for paying for car accident damages also apply to drones. If a drone crashes and hurts someone or damages property, insurance will help pay for it. The rules apply in the same way they do for regular motor vehicles.

Nano unmanned aircraft systems may operate without third-party insurance.

You can operate an unmanned aircraft system with special insurance for those operations. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India must approve the insurance product.