Short answer: Every drone in India, including sub-250 g nano drones, must be registered on DGCA's Digital Sky (eGCA) portal to get a Unique Identification Number (UIN). Nano drones (up to 250 g) need no pilot licence; Micro and larger drones flown commercially need a DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate, and every drone above Nano must follow No Permission, No Takeoff (NPNT) and no-fly-zone rules.
Key takeaways
- The Drone Rules 2021 still apply in 2026, with five weight categories: Nano (up to 250 g), Micro (250 g–2 kg), Small (2–25 kg), Medium (25–150 kg) and Large (over 150 kg).
- Every drone must be registered on DGCA's eGCA portal and get a UIN.
- Nano drones need no Remote Pilot Certificate; Micro and larger drones flown commercially do.
- NPNT applies to every drone above Nano; airports, border areas and certain government installations are no-fly zones.
- The draft Civil Drone Bill 2025 proposes fines of up to ₹1 lakh but has not yet replaced the 2021 rules.
Buying your first drone in India comes with one question every serious buyer eventually asks: what am I legally allowed to fly, and what paperwork do I need? The rules aren't complicated once you know which category your drone falls into. Here's the current picture for 2026, straight from the Drone Rules 2021 framework that still governs flying in India today.
Which category does your drone fall under?
The Drone Rules 2021 sort every unmanned aircraft by weight, and your category decides almost everything else — registration, licensing, and where you can fly.
- Nano — up to 250g. No pilot licence (Remote Pilot Certificate) needed, but the drone must still be registered on DGCA's eGCA portal.
- Micro — 250g to 2kg.
- Small — 2kg to 25kg.
- Medium — 25kg to 150kg.
- Large — above 150kg.
This is exactly why sub-250g drones like the DJI Mini 5 Pro (about 249.9 g with the standard battery) and DJI Mini 4 Pro are so popular with first-time buyers in India — they sit in the Nano category, which means no pilot licence is needed. You only register the drone on DGCA's eGCA portal.
Registering your drone on eGCA
Every drone, including Nano drones, needs to be registered on the government's eGCA portal, where it's issued a Unique Identification Number (UIN). This applies whether you're flying for photography, mapping, or enterprise work. Import of fully-assembled drones is restricted under current policy — only components can be freely imported — which is part of why type-certified, India-compliant models matter when you're buying.
Do you need a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC)?
If you're operating a Micro, Small, Medium or Large category drone commercially, you need an RPC. Nano drones don't need an RPC. As of 2026, India has more than 38,500 registered drones, close to 40,000 DGCA-certified remote pilots, and 244 approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) issuing licences nationwide — so getting certified has never been more accessible if your work needs it.
The NPNT rule and no-fly zones
No Permission, No Takeoff (NPNT) is strictly enforced for every drone above Nano category. In practice, this means your drone checks in digitally before every flight and won't launch in restricted airspace without clearance. Airports, border areas, and certain government installations remain no-fly zones regardless of category.
What's changing: the Civil Drone Bill 2025
In September 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation introduced the draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 — a new law that will eventually replace the Drone Rules 2021 entirely. It introduces stricter enforcement, including fines of up to ₹1 lakh and imprisonment for serious violations.
What this means when you buy from HobiTech
Every DJI drone we sell is genuine stock from an authorised DJI dealer, which keeps you on the right side of import and registration rules from day one. If you're a hobbyist, the sub-250g Nano-category models are the simplest route — no pilot licence needed; just register the drone on DGCA's eGCA portal and fly. If you're buying for commercial or enterprise work, our team can walk you through what registration and licensing you'll actually need for your specific use case.
Further reading
Sources: this guide follows the Drone Rules 2021 as published by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to which DGCA’s Digital Sky platform handles registration and remote pilot certificates. Check dgca.gov.in for the latest notifications.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a DGCA drone pilot licence?
Train at a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) for the drone class you will fly, pass its proficiency test, and the RPTO issues your Remote Pilot Certificate through the Digital Sky platform. You need one only to fly Micro or larger drones commercially. HobiTech does not provide DGCA pilot training; our training covers SPH Engineering survey software and payloads.
Can anyone buy a drone in India?
Yes. You do not need a licence to buy a drone. Before it flies, it must be registered on DGCA’s Digital Sky (eGCA) portal to get a UIN, and if it is above the Nano category and flown commercially, the pilot needs a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Do I need to register a drone under 250 g in India?
Yes. Nano drones do not need a pilot licence, but every drone, whatever its weight, must be registered on DGCA's Digital Sky (eGCA) portal to get a UIN before it flies.
Do I need permission to fly a drone in India?
In green zones on the Digital Sky airspace map you can fly up to 400 ft (120 m) without separate permission. Yellow zones need permission from the air traffic control authority, and red zones need central government approval.
What is the age limit for a drone pilot licence in India?
You must be between 18 and 65 and have passed Class 10 (or equivalent) to get a DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate, which is issued after training and a proficiency test at a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). HobiTech does not provide DGCA pilot training.
Is drone insurance mandatory in India?
Third-party insurance is required for drones above the Nano category. It is not mandatory for Nano drones.
Can I fly a drone near an airport?
Close to one, only with permission. On the Digital Sky airspace map, the area 5–8 km from an operational airport’s perimeter is a yellow zone that needs air traffic control permission, and the area 8–12 km out is green only up to 200 ft (60 m). Border areas and certain government installations are red zones regardless of category, so check the map before every flight.
Have questions about which category your next drone falls into? Get in touch with our team or browse our full range in the shop.
