What is a Remote Pilot Licence?

The Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) is a mandatory certification issued through the Digital Sky Platform by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. Without an RPL, no one can legally operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for commercial purposes.

An RPL specifically states your authorized:

• Category — e.g. aeroplane, rotorcraft
• Sub-category — e.g. fixed-wing, multirotor
• Classification — e.g. small, medium drones

How to get your Remote Pilot Licence

• Enroll — join our certified training programs for your drone category and application.
• Train & Test — complete training and pass the required theory and practical assessments.
• Apply — within 7 days of passing, we apply for your Remote Pilot Licence via the Digital Sky portal.
• Certification — you'll receive a Remote Pilot Certificate first, then your official RPL within 15 days.
• Fly high — your licence is active for professional drone operations across India.

Eligibility for Remote Pilot Licence

• Be between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Have passed Class 10 (or equivalent) from a recognized education board.
• Successfully complete drone pilot training from a DGCA-authorized Remote Pilot Training Organisation — like IINS.

Licence validity & renewal

• Your RPL is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
• It must be listed on the Digital Sky platform at all times.
• Renew it for another 10 years after completing a mandatory refresher course before expiry.

Good news for hobbyists: you do not need an RPL to operate a Nano drone (≤250g), or a Micro drone (250g–2kg) for non-commercial use. If you plan to fly commercially, you must be certified — no matter the size.