**Executive Summary**
This document, dated September 13, 2021, details a conditional exemption from Drone Rules, 2021, granted to the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The exemption allows NAL to conduct experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights for research and development up to 500 meters. The exemption is valid for one year from the date of airspace clearance approval or until further orders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Exemption Granted:**
* The Central Government grants NAL a conditional exemption from the Drone Rules, 2021.
* This exemption is specifically for conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights.
* Flights are restricted to a maximum height of 500 meters.
* **Conditions and Validity:**
* The exemption is subject to the terms and conditions of the airspace clearance.
* NAL must obtain airspace clearance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
* The exemption is valid for one year from the date of airspace clearance approval or until further orders.
* **NAL Application:**
* NAL sought this exemption via email dated July 30, 2021.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)**
* **Impact:** NAL is permitted to conduct experimental BVLOS drone flights for research and development, subject to specific conditions and airspace clearance.
* **Action Required:** NAL must adhere to the terms and conditions of the airspace clearance and obtain approval from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) before conducting flights.
**Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** AAI is responsible for providing airspace clearance to NAL for the permitted drone flights.
* **Action Required:** AAI must review and approve airspace clearance requests from NAL for the aforementioned purpose.
**All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, Chief Secretaries/Administrators, DGPs/Heads of Police of all States/Union Territories, Additional Secretary (Internal Security), Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, Director, Ministry of Defence, Gp Cpt K.B. Mathews, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), PS to HMOSCA (IC), Sr. PPS to Secretary, National Informatics Centre (NIC) team, Digital Sky Platform**
* **Impact:** Informed about the conditional exemption granted to NAL.
* **Action Required:** Awareness of the exemption granted to NAL and adherence to relevant regulations pertaining to drone operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Drone Rules, 2021: The primary regulation being referenced and providing the basis for the conditional exemption.
National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL): The entity receiving the conditional exemption to conduct drone research.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The entity responsible for airspace clearance, which is required for the exemption.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry issuing the order regarding drone exemptions.
‘AV-29017/51/2021-SDIT-MOCA
‘Government of India
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi
13 Sep 2021
‘ORDER
Subject: Conditional exemption from Drone Rules, 2021 to National Aerospace
Laboratories (NAL) for conducting experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight
(BVLOS) flights for research and development upto a height of 500 meters using
drones
1. Whereas, NAL (the Applicant’ had, vide email dated 30 July 2021 soughatn exemption
for the afore-mentioned purpose,
2. Whereas, based on the undertaking provided by the Applicant, approval of the airspace
clearance shall be obtained by the Applicant from Airports Autnonty of India (AAI) 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 exempton from Drone Rules, 2021 to
the Applicant for the afore-mentioned purpose. This exemption shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the said arspace clearance and shall be valid for a period of
‘one year from the date of approval of the said airspace dearance or unt further orders,
whichever is earber.
13-701
(Amber Dubey)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
{All Ministries! Departments of the Government of India
Chief Secretaries! Administrators of all States! Union Territones
DGPs/ Heads of Police of al States/ Union Territones
‘Additional Secretary (Internal Secunty), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi
‘Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau (Shri Janardan Singh), New Delhi
Director, G-Wing, Ministry of Defence, New Dethi
Gp Cpt K.B Mathews, Air Headquarters, IAF, New Delhi
G, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), New Delhi
DG, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), New Deri
10 Chairman, Airports Authonity of India (AAl), New Delhi
11.PS to HMOSCA (IC), Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Dehi
42 St. PPS to Secretary, Ministy of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
48 National Informatics Centre (NIC) team, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi
14 Dagital Sky Platform