National Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management Policy Framework

On 27th October, 2021, the Civil Aviation ministry notified a traffic management policy framework for drones, i.e. National Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) policy framework, allowing both private and public service providers to regulate drone traffic in the country.

• This comes after the Central Government liberalized the drone regulations and notified a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drone and drone components.
• This framework was published under the 2021 drone rules.

Impact: The new innovative initiatives by the government will give boost to the drone industry as the Indian drone industry is expected to make strides across sectors like agriculture, mining, infrastructure, geospatial mapping, transportation, emergency response, defence, and law enforcement.

• The new Drone Rules will tremendously help start-ups working in this sector.
• It will help leverage India’s strengths in innovation, technology and engineering to make India a drone hub.