Drone Certification Scheme: Union Aviation Minister awards first Type Certificate under Drone Rules, 2021 to Gurugram-based IoTechWorld

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation has awarded the first Type Certificate (TC) under Drone Rules, 2021 to IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt Ltd. 

What are Drone Rules,2021?

Click Here to read about it

What is a Drone Certification Scheme?

Launched in: January 2022

The scheme has been developed by the Quality Council of India in consultation with drone startups, industry, academia and defence experts. 

Objective: To provide safety and security criteria and requirements for drones, evaluate their certification, among others.

Significance: The scheme is likely to create an ecosystem for world-class drones to be manufactured in India and sold all across the world.  

What are the other reforms undertaken in the Drones Sector?

– A Drone Airspace Map has been published opening up nearly 90% of Indian airspace as a green zone for drones flying up to 400 feet.

– Production-Linked Incentive(PLI) scheme for drones has been notified.

– Mission ‘Drone Shakti’ has been announced for supporting drone startups and promoting Drone-as-a-Service(DrAAS),

– Drone import policy has been notified banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.

– Drone(Amendment) Rules,2022 has been notified abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot license.

– UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published.

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Aviation Minister awards first Type Certificate under Drone Rules, 2021 to Gurugram-based IoTechWorld” published in PIB on 14th June 2022.