Over 20,000 drone users register themselves with Aviation Ministry

Over 20,000 users have registered their drones with the Union Aviation Ministry in the 19-day period that it had given for enrolment to all those who were operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in India without permit, a senior government official said on Friday.

On January 13, the ministry had issued a public notice, asking all drone users - who were operating the devices in India without permits - to register themselves by January 31 or face action.

"20,531 users have registered themselves with us. The deadline is over now. It will not be extended" the official said.

Punitive action can be taken against unregistered drone users under the Indian Penal Code and the Aircraft Act, the official added.

In a notice on January 13, the ministry had said, "The presence of such drones as well as drone operators has come to the notice of the government which do not comply with the CAR (civil aviation requirements)."

"In order to facilitate the identification of civil drones and drone ...