India plans to introduce a refined certification framework enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations by the end of 2026, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said at an Andhra Pradesh drone industry round table.
“By the end of this year, we will have a refined certification framework with enablement of BVLOS certification,” Naidu said.
The AP Drone Industry CEO Round Table, hosted by the Drone Federation India (DFI) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh at Orvakal Drone City, brought together more than 150 companies from the drone, counter-drone and component sectors, alongside representatives from government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), academia and research institutions.
Discussions focused on BVLOS operations, certification, testing and sandboxing, UAS traffic management (UTM), airspace access and domestic component development.
Industry representatives called for a risk-based certification framework, dedicated flight-testing environments and clear operating protocols to support the transition from experimental operations to commercially scalable drone networks.
The discussions also highlighted the need for stronger UTM and live-tracking capabilities and more efficient mechanisms for drone operations in restricted and red zones.
Naidu also outlined a new financial incentive scheme aimed at strengthening domestic drone and critical-component manufacturing and supporting the sector’s expansion.
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