The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched proceedings to suspend or cancel the registrations of drones listed with misleading details on its Digital Sky platform. Investigations revealed that over 8,700 Chinese drones were wrongly categorised as “Model RPAS” a category meant only for research, testing, or recreation.
Many of these drones reportedly entered India without mandatory import authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), violating the 2021 ban on drone imports.
The DGCA has directed owners of such drones to submit written explanations with supporting documents including invoices, DGFT permits, images, and certifications within one month from August 12, 2025. Operating drones with suspended or cancelled Unique Identification Numbers (UINs) will attract penal action under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Aircraft Act, 1934.
