Civil Drone Certification and Atmanirbharta Challenges in India

India’s goal of becoming an atmanirbhar (self-reliant) global drone hub by 2030 could face certification and atmanirbharta challenges. The certification challenges of civil drones emerge from anomalies in the Digital Sky portal, high cost, ambiguities, lack of formats, increasing inroads of consultants, etc. The lack of policy on operation and certification of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) heavier than 500 kilogram (kg) indicates limitations of the current Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) policy on Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS). The atmanirbharta challenges are due to limitations of existing ecosystem as well as lack of ownership of civil drone technology. The non-availability of civil drone atmanirbharta policy, research and development structures and technology development initiatives in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, as well as absence of policies on certification and acquisition of indigenously designed drones, create challenges in India becoming atmanirbhar and a global drone hub by 2030. The article examines the certification and atmanirbharta challenges and proposes a way forward to overcome these limitations, anomalies and challenges, as well as build a high-technology, high-value globally competitive drone industry in India.

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