The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 to Bayer Crop Science, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited) for drone based agricultural research and precision spraying to prevent crop diseases.   

In toto, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted drone use permission to 10 organizations - Government of Karnataka; National Health Mission, Mumbai; Gangtok Smart City Development; Steel Authority of India, IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, West Bengal; Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana; Blue Ray Aviation, Gujarat; Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai; Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai, Maharashtra; Bayer Crop Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra; Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune at 5 locations - IITM Bhopal; NDA, Pune; Karad Airport; Osmanabad Airport; and Mohammed Airfield, Farrukhabad.

Organizations where government has granted drone permission

1. Government of Karnataka - Drone based aerial survey for creating urban property ownership records in Bengaluru

2. National Health Mission, Mumbai - Conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights to deliver essential healthcare items in tribal areas of Jawhar in Palghar district of Maharashtra 

3. Gangtok Smart City Development - Drone based aerial survey for Smart City project

4. Steel Authority of India, IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, West Bengal - Conducting perimeter surveillance of the plant

5. Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana - Conducting remote pilot training using drones

6. Blue Ray Aviation, Gujarat - Conducting remote pilot training using drones

7. Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai - Conducting drone based aerial spraying to assess crop health and prevent crop disease

8. Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai - Conducting drone based agricultural trials and precision spraying on paddy & hot pepper crop in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

9. Bayer Crop Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra - Conducting drone based agricultural research activities and agricultural spraying  

10. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune - Atmospheric research at these 5 locations - IITM Bhopal; NDA, Pune; Karad Airport; Osmanabad Airport; and Mohammed Airfield, Farrukhabad

These exemptions are valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or until further orders, whichever is earlier and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the SOP issued by DGCA.