On 10 Sep 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order (AV-29017/55/2021-SDIT-MOCA) granting conditional exemption from Drone Rules, 2021 to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) for research, development, and testing of drones on its own premises. This exemption is valid for one year from the date of airspace clearance approval obtained by IIT-B from Airports Authority of India (AAI), or until further orders. The order was signed by Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
The order was addressed to:
1. All Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India
2. Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of all States/ Union Territories
3. DGPs/Heads of Police of all States/ Union Territories
4. Additional Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi
5. Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau (Shri Janardan Singh), New Delhi
6. Director, G-Wing, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
7. Gp Cpt K.B. Mathews, Air Headquarters, IAF, New Delhi
8. DG, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), New Delhi
9. DG, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), New Delhi
10. Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi
11. PS to HMOSCA (IC), Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
12. Sr. PPS to Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
13. National Informatics Centre (NIC) team, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi
14. Digital Sky Platform
Key Entities Referenced
Drone Rules, 2021: The primary regulation from which IIT-B sought exemption.
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B): The entity receiving a conditional exemption for drone research, development, and testing.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): Responsible for airspace clearance, a condition for the exemption.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The issuing ministry.
‘AV-2901755/2021-SDIT-MOCA
‘Government of India
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi
10 Sep 2021
‘ORDER
Subject: Conditional exemption from Drone Rules, 2021 to indian Institute of
Technology, Bombay (IT-B) for research, development and testing of drones in its
‘own premise
1. Whereas, 1IT-B (the Applicant) had, vide email dated 31 Aug 2021 sought an
‘exemption from Drone Rules, 2021 for the afore-mentioned purpose.
2. Whereas, based on the undertaking provided by the Applicant, approovf athle airspace
clearance shall be obtained by the Applicant from Airports Authority of India (AA) for
the afore-mentioned purpose,
3. Now, therefore, the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule
48 of the Drone Rules, 2021, grants conditional exemption from Drone Rules, 2021 to
the Applicant forthe afore-mentioned purpose. This exemption shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the said airspace clearance and shall be valid for a period of
‘one year from the date of approval ofthe said airspace clearance or unt further orders,
whichever is earlier
[0.9 24
(Amber Dubey)
Joint Secretary to the Government of india
‘All Ministies/ Departments of the Government of India
Chief Secretaries! Administrators of all States/ Union Terrtories
GPs! Heads of Police ofall States/ Union Territories
‘Additonal Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi
‘Joint Director, Inteligence Bureau (Shri Janardan Singh), New Delhi
Director, G-Wing, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
Gp Cptk 8. Mathews, Air Headquarters, IAF, New Delhi
DG, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (OGCA), New Dethi
DG, Bureau of Civil Aviation Secunty (BCAS), New Delhi
40.Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi
11.PS to HMoSCA (IC), Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
12 Sr. PPS to Secretary, Ministy of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
13. National Informatics Centre (NIC) team, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi
14 Digital Sky Platform