Drone Pilots: Over One Lakh Job Opportunities in India, Only 5400 Certified | ibccews

"From Agriculture Fields to Wedding Auditories, Drones are now reaching everywhere in India. Mapping, Surveying, and Surveying jobs have seen a significant boost in speed and coverage due to drones. However, do these drone pilots have the required certification? Is it necessary for everyone to have a certification to fly drones? Drones are mandatory for use in places like wedding venues or public events, as well as in agricultural fields.

In India, there are currently over one lakh (one hundred thousand) job opportunities in the drone sector. However, only 5400 individuals possess the certification required for drone piloting. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the authority that provides certification. Flying drones without this certification can lead to penalties of up to one lakh rupees.

In the drone industry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts training courses for Remote Pilot License (RPL) certification. These courses vary in duration, with drone piloting courses for small drones taking around 5 days and courses for agricultural drones taking about 7 days. The duration of the certification is valid for ten years.

Requirements for the courses include an SSLC qualification, the ability to read and write in English, and having an Indian passport. Individuals with a criminal record or pending criminal cases abroad are not eligible for certification.

Age requirements range from 18 to 55 years. The fee for the course is approximately 54,280 INR for small drone categories and 61,360 INR for agricultural drones.

For more information, you can visit the website: www.asapkerala.gov.in or contact the following numbers: 9495999641, 9947132963.

In summary, drone pilots are in demand across various sectors in India, but having the necessary certification from DGCA is essential for legal drone operations."