The framework, prepared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, seeks to overhaul existing UAV rules amid the growing use of drones for recreational and commercial purposes. Operations will be classified into three categories based on risk levels: open, specific, and certified.

Certified‑category drones will be permitted to fly over densely populated areas and may be used for transporting people and hazardous materials. However, agricultural drones licensed by the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry for crop‑protection purposes will not be considered hazardous transport.

Foreign‑registered UAVs will require flight authorisation at least 20 days in advance, while certified drones must obtain airworthiness certificates. The new UAV Traffic Management System will enable real‑time tracking, oversee flight safety, publish airspace data in machine‑readable formats, and process flight permits online. It will also detect potential conflicts between multiple UAVs operating in the same airspace and alert operators.