Flying drones have become legal in India from today as the new policy drafted the Director General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) has come into effect.

The new policy called 'Drone Regulations 1.0' classifies a remotely piloted aircraft and delineates how they can be flown and sets the restrictions under which they will operate.

BCCL

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened the registration process for users who want to operate drones. Users will be required to make one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners on the platform, which will also allow for the online filing of a drone's specific flight path and use.

The DGCA has defined five different categories of drones as Nano, Micro, Small, Medium and Large.

Under the new policy, Nano drones which are less than or equal to 250 grams doesn't need a registration or license.

BCCL

All the other categories will need a registration following which a unique identification number (UIN) or Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) will be issued by the DGCA.

For getting your UIN, the user will have to a pay a fee of Rs 1000. If you are getting a fresh UAOP, which is valid for five years, that costs is Rs 25,000, it will cost you Rs 10,000 to renew a UAOP.

Even after completing all the required registrations, flying of drones are subjected to some restrictions.

BCCL

Drones will only be allowed to fly during the day time and within the "visual line of sight".

Strategic locations, vital military installations, areas around airports, near international border, Vijay Chowk in Delhi, State Secretariat Complex in state capitals, are no drone zones.

Drones can also not fly near "permanent or temporary Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas" and eco-sensitive zones.

You cannot operate drones from a moving vehicle or aircraft.