1. Name of the Division or Section | Skill Development & Information Technology (SDIT) Division, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) |
2. Overview and mandate | The Skill Development & Information Technology (SDIT) Division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is the nodal division for aviation skill development, drones, information technology and air sports. It handles policy and administrative matters relating to pilot training institutions, the regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft systems, the Ministry's digital governance and air sports, and coordinates the formulation of the National Civil Aviation Policy. |
3. Scope of work and responsibilities | Allocated subjects and main functions: Training and skill development: Administrative, financial and policy matters relating to the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) and the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU); policy for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) to strengthen national pilot-training capacity; implementation of Mission Karmayogi for capacity building within the Ministry. Drones: Formulation, review and implementation of the policy and regulatory framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) and the Drone Rules, 2021, including processing of exemptions and implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drones and drone components; promotion of drones as a service under Government schemes such as SVAMITVA, Namo Drone Didi, NAKSHA and AMRUT.
Drone Reforms in India – Key Milestones: i. Drone Rules, 2021: The old drone rules were repealed and the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 were notified on 25 August 2021. ii. Drone Airspace Map: The drone airspace map was published on 24 September 2021, dividing low-level airspace into Red, Yellow and Green Zones to facilitate drone operations. No permission is required for operations in Green Zones. iii. UTM Policy Framework: The Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework was published on 24 October 2021 for regulating low-level airspace management. iv. DigitalSky Platform: All five application forms under the Drone Rules, 2021 were made available online on the DigitalSky Platform on 26 January 2022. v. Drone Certification Scheme: The Drone Certification Scheme was notified on 26 January 2022, making it easier for drone manufacturers to obtain a type certificate. vi. Drone Import Policy: The Drone Import Policy was notified on 9 February 2022, banning the import of foreign drones and freeing up the import of drone components. vii. Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022: The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 were notified on 11 February 2022, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence. A Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by a DGCA-authorised drone school (Remote Pilot Training Organisation) is now sufficient to operate a drone in India. viii. Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023: The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023 were notified on 27 September 2023, removing the mandatory requirement of a passport in Form D-4 for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate. It may now be obtained by providing an Indian passport number or a government-issued proof of identity and address, such as a Voter ID card, Ration Card or Driving Licence. xi. Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2024: The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were notified on 21 August 2024, removing the mandatory requirement of a passport in Forms D-2 and D-3 for the registration, de-registration and transfer of drones. A government-issued proof of identity and address, such as a Voter ID card, Ration Card or Driving Licence, is now accepted. x. Current Status: As of 17 October 2026, there are 294 DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs), 178 type-certified drone models, 44,577 registered drones (UINs) and 54,156 DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Certificates (RPCs). xii. Drones as a Service: Drones are being adopted as a service under ongoing Government schemes across sectors, such as SVAMITVA, Namo Drone Didi, NAKSHA and AMRUT. IT and digital initiatives: Development, maintenance and regular updating of the Ministry's website and dashboard; implementation of e-Office; coordination with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for IT infrastructure; management of AirSewa, the passenger grievance redressal platform. Air sports: National Air Sports Guidelines. National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP): Formulation and review.
Matters handled by other authorities: Drone registration (UIN), type certificates, Remote Pilot Certificates and authorisation of Remote Pilot Training Organisations – Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), through the DigitalSky Platform. Pilot licences (including CPL) and approval of Flying Training Organisations – DGCA. Resolution of individual passenger grievances – the airline, airport operator or agency concerned (lodged through AirSewa).
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4. Acts, Rules and Regulations | Acts Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (which replaced the Aircraft Act, 1934): parent legislation under which civil aviation rules, including the Drone Rules, are framed and continued. MoCA administers the Act; DGCA exercises the regulatory powers conferred on it.
Rules Drone Rules, 2021 – Comprehensive framework for registration, certification, operation and pilot certification of drones. Division's role: framing, review and amendment of the Rules and processing of exemptions. Notification date: 25.08.2021 Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 – Abolished the drone pilot licence; a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation is now sufficient. Notification date: 11.02.2022 Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023 – Removed the mandatory passport requirement in Form D-4 (Remote Pilot Certificate). Notification date: 27.09.2023 Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2024 – Removed the mandatory passport requirement in Forms D-2 and D-3 (registration, de-registration and transfer of drones). Notification date: 21.08.2024
Policies, schemes and notifications eGCA – all five application forms under the Drone Rules, 2021 made available online. Operated by DGCA. Link: https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal Drone Airspace Map – published 24 September 2021 on the DigitalSky Platform; divides airspace into Red, Yellow and Green Zones. Division's role: policy. Link: https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in UTM Policy Framework – published 24 October 2021, for low-level airspace traffic management. Division's role: policy formulation. Link: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/migration/National-UTM-Policy-Framework-2021_24_Oct_2021.pdf Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems – notified 26 January 2022. Certification bodies are accredited under the Quality Council of India; type certificates are issued by DGCA. Division's role: policy. Drone Import Policy – DGFT Notification No. 54/2015-2020 dated 9 February 2022; prohibits import of foreign drones (except for R&D, defence and security) and frees import of drone components. Issued and administered by DGFT. National Air Sports Policy, 2022 – Division's role: formulation, review and implementation. Notification date: 07.06.2022
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5. Services provided | Drone policy and regulatory framework – Purpose: an enabling framework for drone manufacturing and operations. Users: drone manufacturers, operators, remote pilots, start-ups and the public. Outcome: Drone Rules, amendments, policies and clarifications. Delivered by: the Division. AirSewa – Users: air passengers. Outcome: online lodging and tracking of grievances, which are resolved by the airline, airport or agency concerned. Platform managed by the Division. Ministry website and dashboard – Users: the public. Outcome: official information on MoCA. Delivered by: the Division with NIC. Drone registration, type certification and Remote Pilot Certificates – delivered by DGCA through the DigitalSky Platform, not by the Division. Pilot training – delivered by IGRUA, RGNAU and DGCA-approved FTOs; the Division handles only administrative and policy matters. e-Office, NIC coordination and Mission Karmayogi are internal administrative functions of the Ministry.
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6. Approvals and permissions | Handled by the Division: |
7. How to access services or apply | Drone registration (UIN), type certificate, Remote Pilot Certificate and airspace permissions: Apply online on the eGCA Platform (https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/jsp/dgca/common/login.jsp) using Forms D-1 to D-5 under the Drone Rules, 2021. Fees and timelines as prescribed in the Drone Rules, 2021. Receiving and deciding authority: DGCA (or the authorised organisation concerned). Status can be tracked on DigitalSky. Passenger grievances (AirSewa): Lodge online at https://airsewa.gov.in or through the AirSewa mobile app, email, social media; the grievance is forwarded to the airline, airport or agency concerned and can be tracked online. Pilot training: Apply directly to IGRUA, RGNAU or a DGCA-approved FTO as per their admission notices.
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8. Organisations and bodies handled | Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) – Attached office and civil aviation regulator. https://www.dgca.gov.in. Division's role: policy on drones and FTOs; certification, registration and licensing are DGCA's statutory functions. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Fursatganj – Autonomous body under MoCA. https://igrua.gov.in. Division's role: administrative, financial and policy matters; flying training is IGRUA's operational responsibility. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU), Fursatganj – Central university established by an Act of Parliament. https://rgnau.ac.in. Division's role: administrative, financial and policy matters; academic functions rest with the University. Quality Council of India (QCI) – Autonomous body; accreditation of certification bodies under the Certification Scheme for UAS. https://qcin.org National Informatics Centre (NIC) – Ministry of Electronics and IT. https://www.nic.in. Coordination for the Ministry's IT infrastructure, website and e-Office.
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9. Contact details | Email: sdit.div-moca@gov.in Telephone: 011-24632950, Extn. 2876] Address: Room no. 257, SDIT Division, B-Block, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi – 110003. Public enquiry hours: [10:00 AM to 05:00 PM] |
10. Section Officer details | Name: Shri Arpan Designation: Section Officer, SDIT Section Email: sdit.div-moca@gov.in Telephone: [011-24632950, Extn.2836] Room No.: 257 |
11. Supervisory officer details | (a) Drones First level – Under Secretary: Shri Manoj Kumar Yadav, Under Secretary; Email: us.sdit-moca@gov.in; Telephone: 011- 24640214 Second level – Joint Director: Ms Nayonika Dutta, Joint Director; Email: nayonika.dutta@gov.in; Telephone: 011-24642145 Third level – Senior Economic Adviser: Dr. Kamkhenthag Guite, Senior Economic Adviser (SEA); Email: sradv-moca@gov.in; Telephone: 011-24629322
(b) Training and Skill Development First level – Under Secretary: Shri Sushil Kumar, Under Secretary; Email: sushil.kumar48@nic.in Second level – Director: Shri Rohit Raj, Director; Email: rohit.raj@gov.in; Telephone: 011-24649891 Third level – Joint Secretary: Shri Madhu Sudana Sankar, Joint Secretary; Email: madhu.sankar@gov.in; Telephone: 011-24610360
(c) Information Technology First level – Under Secretary: Shri Balram Yadav, Under Secretary; Email: balram.y13@nic.in Second level – Director: Shri Kumar Saurabh Raj, Director; Email: saurabh.kumar11@ias.gov.in; Telephone: 011-24653565 Third level – Deputy Director General: Shri Pramod Kumar Thakur, Deputy Director General (DDG); Email: pk.thakur@nic.in; Telephone: 011-24610372
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12. Useful links and documents | DigitalSky Platform (drone services) -https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 -https://www.civilaviation.gov.in Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023 - https://www.civilaviation.gov.in National Air Sports Policy, 2022 - https://www.civilaviation.gov.in AirSewa passenger grievance portal – https://airsewa.gov.in
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13. Last updated | 17.10.2026 |
