New Delhi: In a decisive step to strengthen drone governance and ensure compliance with national security regulations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated action against misleading drone registrations on its Digital Sky platform. Investigations have uncovered that over 8,700 Chinese drones were wrongly classified under the “Model RPAS” category, which is meant exclusively for research, testing, or recreation. Many of these drones entered India without mandatory import authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), in violation of the 2021 ban on drone imports. To address these irregularities, DGCA has begun proceedings to suspend or cancel the Unique Identification Numbers (UINs) of such drones.
Drone owners have been given one month from 12 August 2025 to provide written explanations supported by invoices, DGFT permits, images, and certifications. The DGCA has also cautioned that operating a drone with a suspended or cancelled UIN is strictly prohibited and may attract penal action under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Aircraft Act, 1934. This initiative reflects the government’s strong resolve to eliminate misleading entries, safeguard Indian airspace, and ensure responsible use of drone technology.
