<h1 class="ql-align-center">Drone Rules, 2021&nbsp;</h1> <h2>Context:</h2> <ul><li>The central government has notified the Drone Rules 2021,&nbsp;a much more liberalised regime for unmanned aircraft systems than what existed previously.</li></ul> <h2>Features:</h2> <ul><li>The weight of a fully-loaded unmanned aircraft system has been increased from 300 kg to 500 kg to include heavy payload-carrying craft for use in the logistics and transportation sectors.</li></ul> <ul><li>Under the new rules, no security clearance will be required before any registration or licence issuance for drones.</li></ul> <ul><li>The number of forms or permissions has been reduced from 25 to just 5.</li></ul> <ul><li>No pilot licence will be required for operating nano drones and micro drones for non-commercial use.</li></ul> <ul><li>The Director-General or an entity authorised by it, on the recommendation of the Quality Council of India or an authorised testing entity, will issue a type certificate for drones.</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">No type certificate, unique identification number, prior permission, and remote pilot licence will be needed for research and development entities&nbsp;</li></ul> <ul><li>Importing and manufacturing drones purely for exports are now exempt from type certification and unique identification numbers.</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Manufacturers and importers will be able to generate their drones’ unique identification number on the Digital Sky Platform through the self-certification route</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">The online registration of all drones will happen through the Digital Sky Platform</li></ul> <ul><li>A remote pilot licence holder enlisted on the Digital Sky Platform will only be allowed to operate a drone covered under the Rules</li></ul> <ul><li>The training and examination will be conducted by an authorised drone school. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will prescribe the training requirements, oversee the schools and provide pilot licences online.</li></ul> <h2>Quality Council of India:</h2> <ul><li>The&nbsp;Quality Council of India (QCI) set up in 1997&nbsp;is an&nbsp;autonomous body&nbsp;attached to the Department of Industrial Policy &amp; Promotion,&nbsp;Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</li></ul> <ul><li>The Chairman of QCI&nbsp;is appointed by the&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;on recommendation of the industry to the government.</li></ul> <ul><li>Its&nbsp;mandate is to establish and operate the National Accreditation Structure (NAS)&nbsp;for conformity assessment bodies and providing accreditation in the field of health, education and quality promotion .</li></ul>