How to Become a DGCA-Certified Drone Pilot in India: A Complete Guide

With the rapid rise of drone technology in sectors such as agriculture, filmmaking, logistics, surveillance, inspection, surveying, and mapping, becoming a certified drone pilot in India is not only exciting but also a promising career move. However, flying drones professionally in India requires certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

If you're looking to turn your passion for drones into a profession, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become a DGCA-certified drone pilot in India.

What is a DGCA-Certified Drone Pilot?

A DGCA-certified drone pilot is an individual who has completed a government-approved training program and is authorized to fly Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly referred to as drones, for commercial or professional purposes, particularly for those falling under the Small category (weighing between 2kg and 25kg)and Medium category (weighing between 25kg and 150kg).

The DGCA regulates drone operations under the Drone Rules, 2021, to ensure the safe and lawful use of drones in Indian airspace.

Who Needs DGCA Certification?

You must be a certified drone pilot if you intend to:

Fly drones commercially.
Work with government or private projects involving drone use.
Use drones for survey & mapping, monitoring, surveillance, agriculture, logistics, filming, or inspection tasks.

If you're flying Nano (<250g) or Micro drones (<2kg) for non-commercial and recreational purposes, certification is generally not required, but you still must follow drone safety rules.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, ensure you meet these basic requirements:

Age: Between 18 - 65 years
Educational Qualification: Passed 10th standard (SSC or equivalent)
Medical Fitness: Physically and mentally fit (requires a medical fitness certificate)

Complete Step-by-Step Process to Become a DGCA-Certified Drone Pilot in India

Step 1: Choose a DGCA-Authorized Drone Training School

Enroll in a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) approved by the DGCA. These schools are equipped to offer training and certification compliant with government norms.

You can find the latest list of DGCA-approved RPTOs click here.

Top RPTOs in India include:

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
Drone Destination
Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI)

Step 2: Complete the Drone Pilot Training

The training includes both theory and practical modules: click here

Theory Subjects:

Air regulations and safety
Weather and meteorology
Drone maintenance and operations
Navigation and radio communication

Practical Training:

Flying drills
Emergency handling
Simulated flight operations

Duration: Typically 5–7 days, depending on the RPTO
Cost: ₹30,000 – ₹1,50,000 approx.

Step 3: Pass the Skill Test

After training, you'll undergo a final skill test conducted by the RPTO. This assesses your knowledge and flying ability in real-world scenarios.

Upon passing, you will get a Certificate of Completion issued by RPTO, and finally, after completion of your documents, you’ll be issued a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) via the Digital Sky Platform. Within 7 days

Step 4: Get Your Certificate from Digital Sky

The RPTO will upload your credentials to the Digital Sky portal, and you’ll receive your Remote Pilot Certificate digitally via registered email ID and in your Digital Sky portal Account.

This Remote Pilot Certificate is valid for 10 years, provided you don’t violate any drone operation regulations.

Types of Drones That Require Certification

Certification is needed for the following drone categories:

Drone Category Weight Range Certification
Nano	<250g	❌ No (unless for commercial use)
Micro	250g–2kg	✅ Yes (for commercial use)
Small	2kg–25kg	✅ Yes
Medium	25kg–150kg	✅ Yes
Large	>150kg	✅ Yes

Important Tips for Aspiring Drone Pilots

Always check No-Fly Zones on the Digital Sky map.
Keep your drone and pilot credentials updated.
Use only DGCA-registered drones for commercial operations.
Report any incident or loss of a drone promptly to the authorities.

Career Opportunities for Certified Drone Pilots

Once certified, a wide range of job opportunities open up in the Government & Private Sectors, such as:

Drone Surveyor or Mapping Expert
Aerial Cinematographer
Agriculture Drone Operator (for spraying & monitoring)
Drone Delivery Operator
Inspection and Surveillance Specialist (in oil, power, or telecom sectors)

Top Industries Hiring Drone Pilots

Agriculture
- Crop monitoring, pesticide spraying, and yield estimation.
- Companies: Drone Destination, Kaushalya Aeronautics, Garuda Aerospace, BharatRohan.
Cinematography & Media
- Aerial videography for movies, weddings, and commercials.
- High demand from production houses and event planners.
Infrastructure & Real Estate
- Site mapping, 3D modeling, and construction progress monitoring.
- Companies: L&T, Tata Projects, Godrej Properties.
Surveying & Mapping
- Land surveys, mining, and environmental mapping.
- Clients: Government departments, GIS firms.
Defense & Surveillance
- Border patrolling, disaster response, forest, and crowd monitoring.
- DRDO, Indian Army, and state police departments.
Logistics
- Drone-based delivery trials (e.g., for medicine or e-commerce).
- Startups: Skye Air, Redwing Labs, Zipline India.
Disaster Management
- Used by NGOs and governments in response to floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.

Final Thoughts

The drone industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, and the demand for skilled, Certified Drone Pilots is higher than ever. Till date, there are only 13k certified pilots. Whether you're into tech, filmmaking, agriculture, or mapping, a DGCA certification gives you the wings to fly safely and legally in Indian skies.

Start your journey today—find an RPTO, get trained, and take off!

DGCA Certified RPAS/ Drone Pilot,
C. R. Tudu.

Drone Pilot Complete Syllabus: click here.

DGCA Certified Drone Pilot India - Complete Guide

Indian Drone Pilot Course - Chapter 1, Lesson III