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Arnold Thomas

Expert

Published on: Aug 14, 2026

Digital Sky Platform

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or Drones are futuristic and augment human capabilities. They could help farmers in applying fertiliser, or helping energy companies monitor their infrastructure, enabling emergency response teams (ERT) to quickly map the extent of damage after natural disasters. In future, drones could deliver packages, streamline agriculture management, reinvent human mobility (like air taxis), and even save lives (air ambulances). Therefore, Digital Sky envisages a seamless and secure technology and regulatory framework to integrate this new technology into the Indian airspace. The Digital Sky Platform was launched to start registration of drones, pilots, and operators for online permission.
Digital Sky enables an approach to enforcement of safety and security guidelines by ensuring that an RPAS does not take-off without signed digital permission. The permissions are obtained via Digital Sky Service Providers (DSPs), flight logs and performance reports which are routed back to the relevant authorities via the DSPs. The Digital Sky can be extended in the future to carry out autonomous flights, automated RPAS traffic control, air taxis, air ambulances, etc.

Mission & Vision of Digital Sky

  • The mission of Digital Sky is to create a completely digital, paperless, and humanless process, thus fast-forwarding to a future of on-demand seamless permissions for RPAS, operators, and pilots.
  • The vision is to create a digital infrastructure that will support safe, efficient, and secure access to Indian airspace for millions of RPAS.

Methodology of Digital Sky

The Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) has defined guidelines for safe flying of RPAS in India. The CAR guideline was drafted based on the suggestions from the RPAS operators, remote pilots/users and manufacturers/OEM for safe operations and effective use of airspace - also, the guidelines are imported to the Digital Sky Platform. Any RPAS will not be permitted to fly without permission under the policy of NoPermission-No-Takeoff (NPNT). The Digital Sky Platform also implements 'no permission, no take-off’ (NPNT) – a system of software-based self-enforcement to minimise deviations from the CAR. Hence, the potential drone owners are requested to buy NPNT-compliant RPAS. The Digital Sky Platform is accepting the registration of users/operators, Unmanned Aerial Operator’s Permit (UAOP) and Unique Identification Numbers (UIN).

Registration of User/Operator

There are four different profile; a user/operator can opt for:
  • Remote Pilot Profile - Registering as an individual as Pilot
  • Individual Operator Profile - Registering as an Operator of RPAS
  • Operator Profile - Registering as an Operator for any Organisation
  • Manufacturer Profile - Registering as Manufacturer

The details of Name, address, phone number are required for registration as provided in the screen capture below.

User Details User Details The selection of profile can be done after registration using the below window: Selection of Profile Selection of Profile When the user opts for "Operator Profile" or "Manufacturer profile", the below window will appear in the platform:
Registration of User/Operator Registration of User/Operator  

Registration of RPAS

There are five different categories of registration of RPAS in Digital Sky, namely:
  • NANO - Less than or equal to 250 grams
  • MICRO - More than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 Kg
  • SMALL - More than 2 Kg and less than or equal to 25 Kg
  • MEDIUM - More than 25 Kg and less than or equal to 150 Kg
  • LARGE - More than 150 Kg
Selecting RPAS Selecting RPAS   Nano drones can be operated legally without registering on the Digital Sky Portal, but local police authorities should be informed. For micro, small, medium and large categories, operators and pilots should register and get required access on the Digital Sky Portal.

While registering for RPAS, there is a separate window categorising the nature of RPAS as mentioned below:

  • Apply for Local RPA
  • Apply to Import RPA
  • Apply for UAOP license
Applying for RPAS Applying for RPAS   STEP-1: On accessing the "Apply for Local RPA" or "Apply to Import RPA", the details of the registered user (based on login) appears. STEP-2: Presently, the Civil Aviation Ministry allows only 3 models of RPAS, and they are:
  • LookOut  VTOL RPAS
  • Patang
  • A200
Details of RPA Details of RPA
When the user opts for a model, the details get prefilled based on the information by synchronising the details of manufacturers.
STEP-3: The details on purpose and mode of payment to be filled in.
On submission, the user will be notified by an acknowledgement and the application can be tracked in the portal. Once the application is verified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Unique Identification Number (UIN) will be provided.

Apply for UAOP license

To apply for "Unmanned Aerial Operator’s Permit (UAOP)", the details of Program document, Insurance, Permission from Landowner, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Receipts through Bharat Kosh are needed as provided in the below screen capture.
UAOP Application UAOP Application

Fee Structure for UIN & UAOP

  • For UIN: INR 1,000
  • For fresh UAOP: INR 25,000
    • For Renewal of UAOP: INR 10,000

User will be prompted for payment through payment Gateway in the Digital Sky Platform. Alternatively, the link for paying the fees is /. The user has to provide the transaction reference number and should upload a copy of the payment in Digital Sky Platform at the time of applying.

RPAS operators or remote pilots have to file a flight plan to get permissions to fly. To fly in the ‘green zones’, the operator had to intimate the time and location of the flight via the portal or the App. Prior permissions are required for flying in ‘yellow zones’ and for ‘red zones’, the flights are not allowed. The ministry is under finalising the location of the restricted zones which will be announced soon.
The Digital Sky Platform is launched to evolve with the evolving needs of this rapidly changing industry. The operator and user can expect that the new & simplified procedures of flying with concern on national security aspects as well. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the Digital Sky Service Providers (DSPs) will work with Application Program Interfaces (APIs) for extending the functionality of the Digital Sky Platform.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Digital Sky Platform.

The Digital Sky Platform is an online portal launched by the Indian government to facilitate the registration and permissions for operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones in Indian airspace. It aims to create a seamless, secure, and digital framework for integrating drones into the airspace.
The Digital Sky Platform implements a 'no permission, no take-off' (NPNT) policy, which is a software-based self-enforcement system to prevent drones from taking off without proper permissions. This helps minimize deviations from the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) guidelines for safe drone operations.
All drone operators, remote pilots, and manufacturers need to register on the Digital Sky Platform. Different user profiles are available for individuals, operators, organizations, and manufacturers to obtain the necessary permits and identifications.
The Digital Sky Platform has five categories for drone registration based on their weight: Nano (up to 250 grams), Micro (250 grams to 2 kg), Small (2 kg to 25 kg), Medium (25 kg to 150 kg), and Large (above 150 kg). Nano drones do not require registration but should be informed to local authorities.
To apply for a UIN or UAOP, users need to log in to the Digital Sky Platform and follow the respective application processes. For UIN, they need to provide drone details and purpose, while for UAOP, they need to submit program documents, insurance, landowner permissions, and standard operating procedures.
The fees for obtaining a UIN is INR 1,000, while for a fresh UAOP, the fee is INR 25,000. The renewal fee for UAOP is INR 10,000. Payments can be made through the payment gateway on the Digital Sky Platform or through the provided Bharat Kosh link.
The Digital Sky Platform classifies airspace into 'green zones' where operators only need to intimate the time and location of the flight, 'yellow zones' where prior permissions are required, and 'red zones' where flights are not allowed. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is finalizing the locations of restricted zones.
The mission of the Digital Sky Platform is to create a completely digital, paperless, and humanless process for obtaining on-demand seamless permissions for RPAS, operators, and pilots. The vision is to create a digital infrastructure that will support safe, efficient, and secure access to Indian airspace for millions of drones.
The Digital Sky Platform is designed to evolve with the rapidly changing drone industry. It is envisioned to support autonomous flights, automated RPAS traffic control, air taxis, and air ambulances in the future. Digital Sky Service Providers (DSPs) will work with Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to extend the platform's functionality.
The Digital Sky Platform streamlines the process of obtaining permissions for drone operations, ensuring compliance with safety and security guidelines. It aims to create a digital infrastructure that supports the efficient and secure integration of drones into Indian airspace, enabling various applications such as agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, emergency response, package delivery, and even air mobility solutions like air taxis and ambulances.