PART VI REMOTE PILOT LICENCE

31.  General. – No individual other than a holder of a valid remote pilot licence enlisted on the digital sky platform shall operate an unmanned aircraft system.

32.  Classification.–– A remote pilot licence shall specifically mention the category, sub-category and classification of the unmanned aircraft system or a combination of these, for which it is issued.  

33.  Eligibility. –An individual shall be eligible to obtain a remote pilot licence, if he–– (a) is not less than eighteen years of age and not more than sixty-five years of age;

(b)    has passed class tenth examination or its equivalent from a recognised Board; and

(c)    has successfully completed such training as may be specified by the Director General, from any authorised remote pilot training organisation.   

34.  Procedure for obtaining a remote pilot licence.–– (1) Any individual, who desires to obtain a remote pilot licence for any category, sub-category or class of an unmanned aircraft system, or a combination thereof, shall complete the training specified by the Director General for such category, sub-category or class, and pass the tests conducted by the authorised remote pilot training organisation.

(2)                Within seven days of successful completion of the training and passing of the tests under sub-rule (1), the authorised remote pilot training organisation shall make an application for remote pilot licence in Form D-4 on the digital sky platform along with the fee as specified in rule 46, providing details of the individual who has passed the test.

(3)                The individual in respect of whom an application has been made by the authorised remote pilot training organisation under sub-rule (2) shall be issued a remote pilot certificate through digital sky platform. 

(4)                The Director General shall, within fifteen days from the date of issue of the remote pilot certificate under sub-rule (3), issue the remote pilot licence to such individual through the digital sky platform.

35.  Validity of licence. – A remote pilot licence shall––

(a)    be valid only if it is enlisted on the digital sky platform;  

(b)    unless suspended or cancelled, remain valid for a period of ten years;

(c)    be renewed by the Director General for such period as may be specified therein, subject to a maximum period of ten years, on payment of fee as specified in rule 46:

Provided that the holder of the remote pilot licence shall undergo such refresher course as may be specified by the Director General on the digital sky platform from time to time. 

36.  Exemption from obtaining licence.–– No remote pilot licence shall be required for ––

(a)    operating a nano unmanned aircraft system; and

b)    operating a micro unmanned aircraft system for non-commercial purposes.