Several initiatives are taken to promote the growth of indigenously manufactured drones
Application for Type Certificate is to be submitted on Digital Sky Platform with nominal fee
The liberalised Drones Rules, 2021 notified on 25th August 2021 provide the necessary regulatory framework for manufacturing and operation of drones. A person may apply for a Type Certificate by providing requisite details on the online Digital Sky Platform along with a nominal fee of Rs 100. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the recommendation of Quality Council of India (QCI) or an authorised testing entity issues a Type Certificate within a specified time. Once a Type Certificate is issued, a person may manufacture any number of drones of the same type.
The Central Government has undertaken a series of initiatives to promote the growth of indigenously manufactured drones which include the following:
(i) The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components was notified in September 2021. The scheme provides for an incentive of Rs 120 crores, spread over three financial years. A provisional list of 23 PLI beneficiaries was released on 6th July 2022. The beneficiaries include 12 manufacturers of drones (including agricultural drones) and 11 manufacturers of drone components.;
(ii) A monetary grant programme for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare (MoAFW) in January 2022.
(iii) On 9th February 2022, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), vide notification No. 54/2015-2020, prohibited import of drones, except for R&D, defence and security purposes. ;
(iv) The requirement of import license for drone components was abolished, in order to enhance the Ease of Doing Business for indigenous drone manufacturers.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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YB/DNS
(Release ID :236036)