The document outlines key details from the draft Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2020 released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India. Some of the major points covered in the draft rules include requiring prior authorization for manufacturing, importing, owning and operating drones; eligibility conditions for authorization; insurance requirements; rules around carrying payloads and restrictions on photography; and the framework for establishing drone ports and corridors. The document also discusses definitions related to unmanned aircraft systems and drones, categories of drones based on weight, and potential future areas where drones may be used such as for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations and delivery of goods.

1. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Unmanned Aircraft
System Rules, 2020
HARITHA
PATENT ASSOCIATE

2. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Definitions
Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) means an unmanned aircraft
and the equipment to control it remotely.
Unmanned aircraft (UA) means any aircraft operating or
designed to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely
without a pilot on board.
Description
An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has three components:
•An autonomous or human-operated control system which is
usually on the ground or a ship but may be on another airborne
platform;
•An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV);
•A command and control (C2) system - sometimes referred to as a
communication, command and control (C3) system - to link the
two.
INTRODUCTION

3. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•Security surveillance
•Emergency response including SAR
•Facilitation of communications and broadcast
•Small package and bulk cargo transport
•Visual, spectral and thermal examination of
structures
•Monitoring of linear network infrastructure such as
railway tracks, power lines and pipelines
•Photography and cartographic survey
•Agricultural fertiliser and chemical application
•Aircraft external maintenance inspection
•Atmospheric research
CIVIL APPLICATIONS OF UAS

4. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•Drone is a layman terminology for Unmanned Aircraft (UA). There
are three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft- Remotely Piloted Aircraft,
Autonomous Aircraft and Model Aircraft.
•Remotely Piloted Aircraft consists of remote pilot station(s), the
required command and control links and any other components, as
specified in the type design.
•Remotely piloted aircraft have been divided into five categories
based on their weight-
•Nano : Less than or equal to 250 grams.
•Micro : From 250 grams to 2kg.
•Small : From 2 kg to 25kg.
•Medium : From 25kg to 150kg.
•Large : Greater than 150kg.
DRONE

5. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released the
draft Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2020 (UAS Rules) on 2
June 2020. Public consultation on the UAS Rules is open till 3 July
2020.
•NASSCOM solicits member inputs on the UAS Rules. Please
send your inputs to dagarwal[at]nasscom[dot]in and
komal[at]nasscom[dot]in latest by 22 June 2020 to enable
NASSCOM to make a timely submission to the DGCA.
•The draft rules have been issued at a time when the use
of drones has increased due to a coronavirus lockdown, for
purposes like surveillance, disinfection and videography.
•Earlier, the government had issued drone regulations 1.0 and
the drone regulations 2.0. The government has also
finalized National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines for
handling the threats from Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
DRAFT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEM (UAS) RULES, 2020

6. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•A set of rules notified by the government
aims to regulate the production, import,
trade, ownership, establishment of the
drone ports (airports for drones) and
operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
•It also seeks to create a framework for
drones use by businesses.
AIM

7. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Approval by DGCA:
•An authorised manufacturer or importer of drones can sell its devices only
to an individual or entity approved by the aviation regulator Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
•Only Nano class drones will be allowed to operate in India in
general and only a qualified remote pilot will be permitted to operate heavier
drones.
•The DGCA will have the powers to inspect a UAS manufacturing or
maintenance facility before granting any authorisation under these rules.
Third Party Insurance:
•No UAS shall operate in India unless there is in existence a valid third party
insurance policy to cover the liability that may arise on account of a mishap
involving such UAS.
Carrying Payload:
•No UAS should carry any payload except as permitted by the DGCA.
•No person shall drop or project or permit to be dropped from a UAS in
motion any object except when specified.
DRAFT RULES

8. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Ownership:
•For owning and using a drone, one has to be
at least 18 years old.
•In the case of companies, the requirement is that
their main place of business has to be in
India and the chairman and at least two thirds of
directors have to be Indian citizens.
•Also, businesses operating drones have to be
substantially owned and effectively controlled by
Indian nationals.
DRAFT RULES

9. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE UAS
RULES:
(i) Prior authorisation required by importer, manufacturer, trader, owner and
operator of UAS
(ii) Eligibility Conditions for Authorisation
(iii) Import clearance & Certificate of Manufacture required for import of UAS
(iv) Certificate of Manufacture for UAS
(v) Obligations on UAS Manufacturing Organisations
(vi) Obligations related to maintenance of UAS
(vii) Requirement of Unique Identification Number (UIN)
(viii) Transfer of UAS to authorised persons with prior approval of DGCA
(ix) Requirement to obtain UAS Operator Permit
(x) Permission for each flight
(xi) Requirement of UAS Pilot Licence
(xii) Provisions related to photography from UA
(xiii) Prohibition on carriage of payload and dropping of articles
(xiv) Establishment of drone port and drone corridors
(xv) Licence for UTM service
(xvi) UTM Personnel Licence
(xvii)Training requirements for UTM personnel
(xviii)Mandatory insurance requirement
(xix) Inapplicability of certain rules to model RPAS and autonomous UAS
(xx) Broad powers of inspection and surveillance by the DGCA
(xxi) Absence of actual fault or privity as a defence for contravention of UAS Rules

10. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•Currently, the DGCA has permitted food startups to conduct
trials for drones Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
Unlike Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) flights, which are
operated within the pilot’s line of sight, BVLOS flights are
flown beyond the visual range. These are mainly performed
for monitoring large areas.
It enables service providers to conduct complex drone
operations and facilitate drones to fly without any human
interference.
•DGCA is also expected to issue a separate set of rules to
enable use of drones for e-commerce or delivering medical
supplies.
FUTURE PROSPECTS:

11. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Way Forward
•Drones offer low-cost, safe and quick
aerial surveys for data collection and are
useful for industries such as power,
mining, realty, oil and gas exploration,
railways and highways. They are also
effective in relief and rescue work and in
policing.
•But drones can also be misused such
as Saudi-Aramco Drone Attack and
thus regulated usage of drones is
necessary in today’s world.

12. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
•The UAS Rules have been a long time coming given that the draft Drone Policy 2.0
was released in January 2019. The UAS Rules allow UA to operate which will be a
significant change from the existing RoCR (this was contemplated in draft Drone
Policy 2.0) and therefore, a step in the right direction. However, other
recommendations of the draft Drone Policy 2.0 such as beyond visual line of sight
(BVLOS) operations and carriage of payload are not envisaged in the UAS Rules.
•The Indian government too understands the potential of drones in India given that
Indian law enforcement agencies have deployed drones for enforcing social
distancing measures and disinfection purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In
fact, 13 companies in India which include online delivery companies such as Swiggy
and Zomato have recently received approval from the DGCA to test BVLOS
operations using drones. It is unclear whether such operations will be permitted under
the UAS Rules once they are finalised. It is reported that separate rules for e-
commerce operations or delivery of medical supplies by drones may take atleast a
year.
•Our preliminary view is that under the UAS Rules, there are multiple authorisations
which any person dealing in UAS will have to obtain, right from UAN to Certificate of
Manufacture to UIN and UAS Operator Permit (for operating the UAS). NASSCOM is
analysing the UAS Rules in detail.
CONCLUSION

13. CHENNAI
C2-A, Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 22501318, 42107341
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Mob: +918277460648
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Mob: +919385432921
HYDERABAD
Vatika Business Centre,
Suite 10,3rd Floor, NSL Icon,
Road No. 12,Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Mob: +917901691606
COCHIN
Suite 49, 8th Floor, Centre A,
Alapatt Heritage Building,
MG Road, Cochin – 682035
Tel: +91 - 484 - 2366216
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com