Asia
India
DGCA — Drone Rules 2021 / Digital Sky (NPNT)
India probably has the most restrictive regime for tourists among the major Asian countries: foreign nationals are effectively excluded from drone flight, because the DGCA does not recognize foreign licences and the Remote Pilot Certificate requires training at an approved school in India.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
There is also a ban on importing foreign drones for personal use imposed by the DGFT, with documented customs seizures and stepped-up controls in recent years. In practice, only 'nano' drones under 250 g (exempt from registration/licensing) are realistically flyable by a tourist, always outside red/yellow zones.
400 feet (120m) AGL in the 'green zone', where no authorization is needed for drones up to 500 kg; above that you enter the 'yellow zone' and need ATC permission (source: PIB, Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, per Gazette notification CG-DL-E-26082021-229221).
Every drone above 250 g must have a UIN registered on Digital Sky; 'nano' drones under 250 g are exempt.
Required for drones ≥250 g, but the DGCA does not recognize foreign pilots/licences: explicit authorization from multiple ministries is needed, a lengthy process rarely used for tourism.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Red/yellow/green zones managed on Digital Sky; documented customs seizures for drones imported without authorization.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The general altitude limit (120m in the green zone) is confirmed by an official source (PIB). A specific 15m threshold for 'nano' drones in enclosed premises, reported by multiple independent secondary sources, was not reached on a direct primary source in this check; the picture of heavy restriction for foreigners remains unchanged and well corroborated.
Verify officially before flying
Source: DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Here the threshold usually depends on the drone's weight or whether it has a camera: below a certain weight, often 250 g, many systems don't require registration for recreational use. Check the note above and the official source to see whether your specific drone falls under the requirement. For India, the official reference remains DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation, also via Digital Sky Platform. Every drone above 250 g must have a UIN registered on Digital Sky; 'nano' drones under 250 g are exempt.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation, also via Digital Sky Platform. Required for drones ≥250 g, but the DGCA does not recognize foreign pilots/licences: explicit authorization from multiple ministries is needed, a lengthy process rarely used for tourism.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.