USA citizen drone flying in India

[echen2323]

my family is traveling to several locations this summer from the USA, including Japan, Bali, Singapore, Nepal, and India. i plan on bringing my DJI Mini Pro 4, that weighs 249g.

i have read that drone flying in India is not permitted for foreigners (im a Canadian, rest of family is USA).

is this true? can i even bring the drone in my luggage since i plan on using it in other countries?

thank you

 

[Yogi053]

Further for your reading, have they (the Indian authorities that is) got rid of the 15 metre height limit yet?

 

[Cafguy]

DO NOT TRY!
Attempting to bring a drone into India Will get you 2 years in an Indian Prison! and a 4 Thousand U.S. dollar Fine!

 

[waynorth]

Some recent information here:

Can You Bring a Drone to India? - Droneblog

You are permitted to carry a drone with you into India on a plane, provided that you have prior permission from the Department of Telecommunication to operate in a dedicated frequency band (WPC Wing).

www.droneblog.com

Can I Bring DJI Drone in India from US 2023?

Discover India's Drone Rules: Can You Bring Your Drone? Know the Regulations, Permits, and More!...

civicdronecentre.org

 

[Cafguy]

Some recent information here:

Can You Bring a Drone to India? - Droneblog

You are permitted to carry a drone with you into India on a plane, provided that you have prior permission from the Department of Telecommunication to operate in a dedicated frequency band (WPC Wing).

www.droneblog.com

Can I Bring DJI Drone in India from US 2023?

Discover India's Drone Rules: Can You Bring Your Drone? Know the Regulations, Permits, and More!...

civicdronecentre.org

Read This

 

[Nifty]

DO NOT TRY!
Attempting to bring a drone into India Will get you 2 years in an Indian Prison! and a 4 Thousand U.S. dollar Fine!

I concur. Tried to get approval to use a Phantom 4 in Bihar State, India for a University Research Project and was accused of being a spy. Maybe I didn't pass enough Rupees in a brown paper bag, under the table!
Neville
Australia

 

[echen2323]

can i bring the drone into the country even if i dont plan on flying it? i dont know what to do about it since we be coming from nepal and going to dubai after india. i dont need to fly the drone in india, but it will be with me in my luggage.

 

[Freeair]

My research has said that you need to get "prior authorization" I believe by getting a UIN number but after a few back and forth emails with Digital Sky I need an Indian telephone number to even set up an account. That is where my patience ended and I'm leaving my drone at home. If someone has more info I would like to hear it. Headed to Kolkata tomorrow.

 

[icecoldgin]

I arrived in India last 21 January 2024 and although I did not bring my drone, the aircraft PA clearly said that Indian customs consider drones as "prohibited" items and should be declared/disclosed to customs upon arrival.

I do not know though if it is a total prohibition, i.e. illegal, and thus subject to confiscation OR prohibited meaning you cannot use it if you do not have a permit but you can secure a permit at the arrival airport.

 

[echen2323]

im reading this---You are permitted to carry a drone with you into India on a plane, provided that you have prior permission from the Department of Telecommunication to operate in a dedicated frequency band (WPC Wing). A drone without this authorization will be confiscated and returned.

does anyone know where this website is?

 

[Rishu]

My research has said that you need to get "prior authorization" I believe by getting a UIN number but after a few back and forth emails with Digital Sky I need an Indian telephone number to even set up an account. That is where my patience ended and I'm leaving my drone at home. If someone has more info I would like to hear it. Headed to Kolkata tomorrow.

You are right . Without having a valid uin you can not fly in india .
Better to hire a drone . If need any help regarding drones in india you can dm me . I am from india and working as a freelance drone operator (DGCA Certified drone operator ) having multiple drones with uin .

 

[Rishu]

im reading this---You are permitted to carry a drone with you into India on a plane, provided that you have prior permission from the Department of Telecommunication to operate in a dedicated frequency band (WPC Wing). A drone without this authorization will be confiscated and returned.

does anyone know where this website is?

You can visit https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in

 

[Rishu]

Being

im reading this---You are permitted to carry a drone with you into India on a plane, provided that you have prior permission from the Department of Telecommunication to operate in a dedicated frequency band (WPC Wing). A drone without this authorization will be confiscated and returned.

does anyone know where this website is?

A foreigner you wil never get permission from deptt. Of telecommunication or from DGCA .
Being a licenced drone operator having uin for all my drones i also face some issues while flying for govt. Projects

 

[echen2323]

yea the problem is that i am going from country and country and will have drone with me....i dont plan on using in india, but i need to keep with me. has anyone heard of if the india airports confiscating a nano drone from a foreigner? upon my exhaustive research, i havent heard of anyone getting them confiscated. more reason for confiscation is flying in unrestricted areas.