Drone Certification

Drone Registration in India - A Complete Guide for Drone Owners & Manufacturers

A drone is capable of taking amazing footage, surveying hundreds of acres, monitoring crops, providing valuable data, and carrying out jobs which were previously costly or dangerous. Yet in India, possessing a drone is different from being allowed to operate one.

Due to the rapid growth of drones in India, the government has set up a regulatory framework which includes drone certification, registration, pilot training, safety, and operation. The Drone Rules 2021 form the basis of this framework and are supported by the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS) as well as the digital regulatory systems.

It should be noted that the regulatory process has developed. In July 2025 the DGCA transferred the drone-related services covered by Forms D-1 to D-5 from the Digital Sky Platform to the eGCA portal. As a result, companies looking for Drone Registration in India via Digital Sky should realise that the current regulatory environment includes eGCA for these services, even though Digital Sky still plays an important role in India's drone ecosystem and regulatory history.

At UMSPCS, we assist manufacturers, businesses and drone owners in understanding the relevant requirements, in preparing the necessary documentation, in organising the compliance activities and in going through the regulatory process involved in drone certification and registration.

Drone Regulations in India: Why Compliance Matters

It can be ascertained that the Indian Drone ecosystem has been created in the interest of fostering innovation whilst maintaining an appropriate level of safety and accountability for Indian airspace.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated to the public regarding the formulation and promulgation of a framework of regulations known as the Drone Rules, 2021, on 25th August 2021 which introduced a liberalized, digital and largely self-certification-based system of regulation on the use of UAS. The Drone Certification Scheme was subsequently rolled out by the Government on 26th January 2022 to simplify obtaining type certification for manufacturers.

The rules cover anyone who in India owns, has, leases, operates, transfers or maintains an unmanned aircraft system, with the exceptions and requirements specified under the relevant rules.

🎉 Special Offer

~~₹499~~ FREE

Get Your Free Expert Consultation

What is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)?

A drone, which is generally known as an unmanned aircraft system, consists of the unmanned aircraft and the other systems needed for its operation.

Depending on its design, a UAS can broadly involve:

The classification of drones is especially important since the regulatory requirements will differ depending on the weight, purpose, and operational characteristics of the UAS.

What drones and applications are included?

The use of drones in India has gone beyond that of photography. Drone Certification in India could be relevant to UAS being developed for uses such as:

Agriculture & Precision Farming
Infrastructure & Construction
Surveying & Geospatial Mapping
Media & Entertainment
Emergency & Public Safety
Industrial Applications
Research & Technology Development

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has pointed out the various uses of this technology in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure, emergency response, media and entertainment, transportation, geospatial mapping, law enforcement, and national defence.

Types of Drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in India

Categorisation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, are broadly divided into three categories based on their aircraft configuration:

These three categories are further divided according to their method of operation into:

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
Model Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft System

Classification of Drones Based on Weight

UAS are also categorised according to their maximum all-up weight, including the payload carried by the drone. The classification is as follows:

S. No.	Drone Category	Maximum All-Up Weight
1	Nano	Up to and including 250 grams
2	Micro	Above 250 grams and up to 2 kg
3	Small	Above 2 kg and up to 25 kg
4	Medium	Above 25 kg and up to 150 kg
5	Large	Above 150 kg

The appropriate drone category is determined by considering its maximum all-up weight, including the payload. This classification helps identify the applicable regulatory and compliance requirements for different types of UAS.

What need there be for drone type certification?

Type certification is especially relevant to manufacturers who are developing UAS with a view to operating them in India.

A manufacturer should assess:

Drone category and weight
Intended purpose
UAS configuration
Flight-control architecture
Communication systems
Propulsion system
Battery system
Ground control/remote pilot station
Safety features
Software and firmware
Prototype configuration
Applicable certification criteria

One cannot suppose that all drones adhere to the same certification process. The specific requirements will vary according to their configuration and the way they are intended to be used.

Key Requirements for Drone Certification

The process of putting in a strong certification application starts well before the online application is submitted.

Applicable Tests for Drone Type Certification

The specific test programme will vary according to the model of the drone, its category, its configuration and the relevant certification requirements. For a given UAS, the evaluation may cover areas such as:

Structural integrity and load assessment
Flight performance
Stability and control
Propulsion performance
Battery and power-system assessment
Communication and control-system assessment
Flight-control module compliance
Environmental considerations
Safety-related functions
Ground and flight tests
Design and configuration assessment
Technical documentation review

Testing should be carried out in accordance with the relevant Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, not with a generic test package for each drone.The infrastructure for government testing and certification is also being expanded; for instance, the National Test House says that its facility in Ghaziabad offers UAS certification services and functions as a certification body under the relevant scheme.

Drone Registration Procedure in India

Subject to the current DGCA portal status and applicable eligibility, the registration workflow broadly involves:

Step 1: Account & Profile Creation

In order to start the process for the Type Certification for the UAS, the applicant has to set up an account and fill in their profile on the relevant regulatory platform.

Step 2: Prototype Details Submission

The applicant then gives the details of the prototype UAS model required, together with its technical specifications and any other relevant information, via the specified application.

Step 3: Application & Fee Submission

The applicant fills out the Application for Type Certificate (Form D-1) and submits it together with the necessary documents and the appropriate government fee.

Step 4: Prototype Testing & Evaluation

When the application has been received, the designated Authorised Testing Entity (ATE) checks the prototype UAS against the relevant compliance requirements and then prepares and submits the test report together with its recommendations to the Director General.

Step 5: Review & Grant of Type Certificate

The DGCA examines the application, the test report and the recommendations supplied by the QCI/Authorised Testing Entity; and if the UAS conforms with the relevant requirements, it awards the Type Certificate for that particular UAS model.

Documents Required for Drone Registration

The exact list of documents may differ depending on the method of application and the present DGCA requirements; typical documentation may comprise:

Documents certifying that the manufacturer is a legal entity in India (RC/Trade Mark).
The documents about the authorisations and permissions required in accordance with the Central Government Rules and Regulations.
Equipment Type Approval for UAS(Drone)
Detailed drawings
Design appraisal
Analysis and test reports (Ground tests / Flight tests)
UAS Flight Manual / UAS logbook/manufacturer's operating manual
Maintenance Manual
Maintenance Inspection Schedule
Other relevant reports

The importance of import documentation must not be underestimated, since the DGCA has identified instances of foreign-made UAS that were imported without the necessary authorisation.

Drone Registration Cost in India

The fee required by the government under Rule 46 for certain services remained nominal. The first Drone Rules stated:

Service	Government Fee
Issuance of Type Certificate	₹100
Issuance/transfer/deregistration of UIN	₹100
Issuance or renewal of Remote Pilot Licence	₹100
RPTO authorisation/renewal	₹1,000

The way the fee is structured is apart from any costs that might occur for testing, certification-body services, laboratory evaluation, technical preparation, professional consultancy or other compliance activities.

For a manufacturer, the total cost of a project can be greatly influenced by prototype testing, engineering documentation, design changes and certification requirements.

Call Today!

WhatsApp Now!

How long does it take to get a drone certified?

The sequence of events will vary depending on the route taken and on how complete the application is.

In the case of type certification, the Drone Rules framework allowed Certification Bodies and DGCA periods of up to 60 days and 15 days, respectively, so that the total period specified was up to 75 days upon the completion of the required documents and test reports.

Actual timelines may vary because of:

Testing schedules
Prototype readiness
Documentation gaps
Technical non-conformities
Design modifications
Retesting
Certification-body observations
Portal issues
Regulatory changes

The time taken for drone registration can also differ depending on eligibility, document verification, and the current regulatory portal or process.

UMSPCS therefore suggests that timelines should be treated in a case-by-case manner rather than as certain. Also get to know more information about MTCTE Certification in India.

Common Challenges in Drone Registration & Certification

Some of the challenges are mentioned below:

Incorrect Drone Classification
Missing Type Certification
Inconsistent Technical Data
Import Compliance Issues
Incomplete Testing
Outdated Portal Information
Changing Regulatory Requirements

What makes UMSPCS the choice for drone compliance?

Picking a compliance consultant involves more than just filling in an application; it means cutting down on errors that could lead to delays.

Why businesses choose UMSPCS:

6+ years of compliance experience
Support across 600+ product compliance requirements
Structured documentation assistance
Regulatory applicability assessment
Testing and certification coordination
Support for manufacturers and businesses
Clear communication throughout the process
Focus on accurate and regulation-aligned submissions
End-to-end assistance from initial assessment to regulatory outcome

Conclusion

The drone industry in India is advancing quickly, with applications spreading from agriculture and surveying to include infrastructure, logistics, cinematography, and various advanced industrial uses. The regulatory framework is developing as the industry grows.

For manufacturers, obtaining Drone Certification in India represents an essential move towards lawful deployment and being ready for the market. For owners and operators, Drone Registration in India, the requirement of a UIN, and compliance relating to pilots are all important elements of responsible drone operations.

The greatest error is to think that complying with the rules about drones consists merely of filling in a registration form; in fact, it is a linked regulatory process which includes classification, certification, testing, documentation, registration, identification, and compliance with operations.

If businesses adopt the correct compliance strategy, they will be able to deal with these requirements in an organized manner rather than having to identify regulatory gaps after the drone has already been developed or bought. Also get to know more about CE Certification in India.

Do you need assistance with drone registration or type certification?

Contact UMSPCS today to check the compliance requirements, the necessary documentation, and the certification route that applies to your drone before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Operation of UAS is exempt from the requirement to be registered and to obtain a UIN provided that an applicable exemption applies; nevertheless, the eligibility criteria and current status on the DGCA portal must be checked before applying.

A Type Certificate applies to the UAS model or design that has been certified, whereas a UIN refers to a specific individual UAS that is registered. The two have different regulatory functions.

It doesn't have to. The Drone Rules do include certain exemptions, such as those for nano UAS and model remotely piloted aircraft systems in the situations specified in the rules.

Eligibility is determined by the type of drone, the applicable exemption, and the present DGCA requirements; the DGCA has stated as of 22 August 2026 that the registration of non-type-certified UAS is temporarily on hold until further notice.

D-1 to D-5 regulatory drone services have been shifted from Digital Sky to the eGCA portal, as announced by DGCA in July 2025, therefore check the new portal before uploading your application

According to the 2022 amendment, the separate remote pilot license requirement has been removed; instead, there is the option of a Remote Pilot Certificate. The requirement for a pilot certificate may vary by drone type, type of operation, and any exempted provisions.

Ready to get your electronics BIS-registered?

+91 7011067811