No Drones Allowed Within 25 Km Of International Borders: Centre

Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh informed the Lok Sabha that Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 have been notified on March 12, 2021.

No Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) shall be allowed to fly within 25 kilometres from the international border including the Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), said the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday. Replying to an unstarred question regarding the regulation of drones, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh informed the Lok Sabha that Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 have been notified on March 12, 2021. "The rules cover the various aspects of drone usage viz, registration, ownership, transfer, import, operation of drone traffic management, payment of fees and penalties etc. All civilian drone activities are regulated by the UAS Rules, 2021," reads the Civil Aviation Ministry''s reply. On whether the government distinguishes between drones used for professional videography and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used for defence purposes, the Ministry clarified that the provisions of UAS Rules, 2021 are applicable to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for civilian purposes including professional videography. The operation of UAVs for defence purposes is not covered under UAS Rules, 2021.