The Draft Civil Drone Bill, 2025: What Every Operator Needs to Know
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 on September 16, 2025. Here's a comprehensive brea...
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 on September 16, 2025.
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what it proposes — and what it means for the industry.
On September 16, 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 for public consultation, with a comment deadline of September 30, 2025.
This Bill represents a fundamental shift in how India regulates drones — moving from subordinate rules under the Aircraft Act to a standalone, primary legislation with parliamentary authority.
Here's what operators, manufacturers, and stakeholders need to understand.
From Rules to Law: Why This Matters Currently, drone operations in India are governed by the Drone Rules, 2021, which were issued as subordinate legislation under the Aircraft Act, 1934 (now replaced by the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024).
The Draft Bill proposes to create an entirely separate statute — a dedicated law — for civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) below 500 kg maximum all-up weight.
This is not merely administrative restructuring.
A standalone Act carries greater legal authority, stronger enforcement powers, and parliamentary oversight.
Once enacted, all future policymaking, rule-making, and regulatory action for drones will flow from this new Bill — not from the broader aircraft legislation.
Key distinction: The Drone Rules, 2021 will remain in force until new rules are framed under the Bill.
There will be no regulatory vacuum during the transition.
Who Does It Apply To? The Bill applies to all persons — including foreign citizens and entities — engaged in any aspect of UAS operations in India.
This covers: Manufacturing and assembly Import and sale (including online sales) Operation and maintenance Training and certification Research and development It also covers all UAS registered in India regardless of where they operate, and all UAS operating within Indian airspace regardless of registration.