• Notification Date: 07-12-2022
• Notification No: N/A

New Guidelines for PLI Scheme on Drones

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) has notified the operational guidelines for the implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to support the indigenous drone industry on December 3, 2022. The press release announcing the matter came with a 27-page document detailing the guidelines. Yet, the government remains silent on the regularisation of drone manufacture and usage in India.  

Lately, India’s law enforcement agencies have been considering the idea of using drones in policing work. But the experts are worried about the implications of surveillance technology being used by the police especially during instances of civil dissent. The industrial body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) earlier lobbied for a single inter-ministerial committee (IMC) on drone-related issues.  

However, the suggestion made by the FICCI seems to have had no effect since the government departments only focus on enhancing the technology. In the absence of data protection or privacy laws, this may enable the creation of a ‘surveillance state.’ MCA to form committee for release of funds.  

The guidelines, notified on November 29, cover definitions, qualification and eligibility, application and online portal, Project Management Agency (PMA), Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), and Competent Authority. It will constitute the committee to select applicants, sanctions and release of funds.  

The MCA Secretary will act as the Chairperson. Other members will include the Senior Economic Advisor/ Joint Secretary in-charge of drones, MCA Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor, MCA Deputy Secretary, SDIT, MCA (Member Secretary).