Navigating the Skies with Essential DGCA Rules for Drone Use in India and Manipur’s No-Fly Zones

By – Norris Haobam
Drones are transforming fields like transportation, agriculture, surveillance, and photography in India, but operating them comes with a set of rules set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Every drone must be registered on the DGCA’s Digital Sky platform to receive a unique identification number (UIN). For larger drones, operators need a Remote Pilot License (RPL), which can be obtained by individuals aged 18-65 with at least a Class 10 education. However, smaller Nano and Micro drones (under 2 kg) do not need a license.
India’s airspace is divided into three zones: Red, Yellow, and Green. Red Zones are no-fly areas, such as within 5 km of airports, where flying is only allowed with only Central Government approval. Yellow Zones cover areas 8-12 km from airports, where flights up to 200 feet require permission from local Air Traffic Control authorities. In Green Zones, drones can fly up to 400 feet without prior approval but must still follow safety guidelines.
In Manipur, these restrictions are particularly significant around Imphal, where most of the airspace falls into the Red Zone due to proximity to the Imphal Airport. This makes unauthorized flights illegal and reinforces the importance of securing central permissions for any flights in this area.
Additionally, rising instances of drone flights in crowded areas have brought safety concerns to the forefront. Flying over crowded places, whether for photography or any other purpose, is not permitted under DGCA guidelines, as it poses risks to public safety and privacy. Operators in Manipur must exercise extra caution and adhere closely to these regulations to avoid fines and ensure that drone usage is safe, responsible, and compliant with national rules.
Violations of these rules can lead to fines up to ¹ 1 lakh, so following DGCA guidelines is crucial. With careful planning and compliance, drone operators in Manipur and across India can safely unlock the potential of the skies.
The rising number of people operating drones without awareness of the legal requirements is becoming a cause for concern. Many individuals are flying drones without registering them or obtaining the necessary licenses, which poses safety risks and infringes on privacy. I am bringing this issue to the attention of related authorities to ensure that drone operators are following the DGCA’s rules to maintain safety and privacy in the community.
(The writer is a Project Engineer at C-DAC, Mumbai)