How to Register a Drone in India
A practical guide to drone registration, UIN, DGCA, DigitalSky and eGCA — including the latest 2026 updates, documents and important official links.
Drone Registration in India — 2026
Drone operations in India are regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Depending on the type, certification status and intended operation of a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), different regulatory requirements may apply.
If you are planning to operate a drone in India, you should check the current DGCA requirements before flying the aircraft.
DGCA has migrated its D-1 to D-5 drone-related regulatory services from the DigitalSky Platform to the eGCA portal. DGCA also currently states that registration of Non-Type Certified (non-TC) UAS has been temporarily suspended until further notice.
Drone rules, registration procedures and portal workflows can change. Always verify the latest information on the official DGCA website before submitting an application.
What is a UIN?
UIN stands for Unique Identification Number. It is an identification number associated with an unmanned aircraft when registration is applicable under the prevailing DGCA framework.
The drone's UIN should not be confused with its manufacturer's serial number. These are different identifiers.
Keep your drone's manufacturer serial number and other aircraft information ready before starting any applicable registration process.
Who Needs to Register a Drone?
Before starting an application, identify the type and regulatory status of your drone/UAS.
- Commercial drone operators
- Professional drone service providers
- Drone manufacturers
- Organisations operating UAS
- Individuals operating drones where registration is applicable
Important: Registration requirements can depend on the aircraft and applicable DGCA regulations.
Documents & Information You May Need
Depending on the applicable DGCA service, you may need some or all of the following:
- Applicant or organisation details
- Government-issued identification details
- Drone manufacturer name
- Drone model
- Drone serial number
- Type Certificate details, where applicable
- Drone technical specifications
- Purchase/invoice information, where applicable
- Required supporting documents
- Applicable government fee
Enter the manufacturer's serial number exactly as it appears on the drone and supporting documents.
How to Register a Drone in India
For a UAS and service for which registration is currently available, the general online workflow can be understood through the following steps:
Create / Access Your Account
Open the official DGCA eGCA portal and create or access your account as required.
Complete Verification
Complete the required account, identity and contact verification steps.
Select the Applicable Service
Select the relevant drone/UAS service available for your aircraft and user profile.
Enter Drone Details
Enter the manufacturer, model, serial number and other required aircraft information.
Upload Documents
Upload the documents requested by the applicable DGCA service.
Review & Pay
Review all information carefully and pay any applicable government fee.
Submit Application
Submit the application after confirming that all details are correct.
Track Application
Keep your application/reference number and use the official portal to track the status.
DigitalSky vs eGCA — What's the Difference?
| Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DigitalSky | DGCA's drone ecosystem/platform used for various UAS-related functions and services. |
| eGCA | DGCA's electronic governance platform used for regulatory services, including migrated drone D-series services. |
D-1 to D-5 drone-related regulatory services were migrated from DigitalSky to eGCA. If you find an older guide describing the old DigitalSky workflow, check the current DGCA/eGCA instructions first.
Non-Type Certified (Non-TC) Drones
Type Certification is an important part of India's drone regulatory framework for applicable UAS.
DGCA currently states that registration of Non-Type Certified (non-TC) UAS has been temporarily suspended until further notice.
If your drone is custom-built, modified or otherwise non-type-certified, do not assume that it can currently be registered through the normal process.
Check the latest official DGCA notification before proceeding.
What About Custom-Built & FPV Drones?
FPV drones can involve additional regulatory considerations, especially when they are custom-built or assembled using individual components.
Examples include:
- Custom FPV racing drones
- Freestyle FPV drones
- Long-range FPV drones
- DIY / self-built UAS
- Commercially assembled drones
Do not assume that an FPV drone is automatically exempt from DGCA regulations. Check the current regulatory requirements before operating your aircraft.
Check Drone Airspace Before Flying
Drone registration and permission to fly are not the same thing.
Before operating your drone, check the applicable airspace restrictions and any temporary restrictions that may apply to your intended location.
Airspace restrictions can change. Verify the latest official information before every flight.
Useful Official Links
For registration, regulations and official information, use the government websites below.
Drone Registration Checklist
- ☐ Identify your drone/UAS category
- ☐ Check whether Type Certification is applicable
- ☐ Keep the drone serial number ready
- ☐ Keep applicant details ready
- ☐ Prepare supporting documents
- ☐ Check current DGCA registration status
- ☐ Use the current eGCA/DGCA workflow
- ☐ Check applicable airspace restrictions
- ☐ Save your application/reference number
Frequently Asked Questions
Need the Latest Drone Regulations?
Before registering or operating a drone in India, always verify the latest requirements directly from DGCA.
Visit DGCA Open eGCA DigitalSky