Private players can now use drones for delivery purposes

In compliance with the Drone Rules 2021, the minister of state for civil aviation (Retd) General VK Singh approved the use of drones by private players, in Rajya Sabha on Monday. The government has been utilizing drones for vaccine delivery, inspection of oil pipelines and power transmission lines, anti-locust operations, agricultural spraying, a survey of mines, and land mapping for several years. 

The minister says, “Drones offer tremendous benefits to almost all sectors of the economy. These include agriculture, vaccine delivery, surveillance, search and rescue, transportation, mapping, defence, and law enforcement to name a few.”

Singh also said that in September 2021, the government had notified a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to promote drone manufacturing by private companies. The scheme provides an overall incentive of Rs120 crore spread over three financial years. The PLI rate is 20% of the value-added over three financial years. The PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped at 25% of the total annual outlay.

Commenting on the news, founder and director of DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations, Prateek Srivastava, said, “DroneAcharya will always welcome, and leverage such permissive developments towards making India the drone hub of the World by 2030. We are grateful that the govt has taken considerable steps towards achieving that goal and are looking forward to exciting times ahead in the world of delivery drones.”
Notified on August 25, 2021, the Drones Rules, 2021 provides the necessary regulatory framework for the commercial use of drones. It mainly covers type certification, registration, and operation of drones.