Drone Photography Rules In Maharashtra 2025

Drones—also called UAVs—are fun and creative tools. In Maharashtra, you can use drones for aerial photography or videography. But there are rules to keep everyone safe: pilots, people on the ground, and protected areas. These rules come from India’s Drone Rules2021 and recent updates from the DGCA in 2025.

Definition

In this article, drone photography rules refer to the legal steps and safety measures you must follow when flying a drone in Maharashtra. These rules include:

• Drone types and registration
• Pilot licensing
• Airspace zones (green/yellow/red)
• Permissions, nofly areas, and temporary bans
• Privacy, insurance, and penalties

Let’s look at each rule.

1. Drone Categories & Registration

India classifies drones by weight:

• Nano: ≤250g
• Micro: 250g–2kg
• Small: 2–25kg
• Medium: 25–150kg
• Large: >150kg

Read also: Indian Military Drone Manufacturers

Registration requirements:

• Nano drones: No UIN or license needed—but must follow nofly rules 
• Micro and above: Must register on Digital Sky and get a Unique Identification Number (UIN) 

Your drone must carry its UIN physically on the body

2. Pilot Licensing & Training

• Anyone over 18 years old, with a Grade10 education, can become a licensed pilot 
• For drones over 2kg, you need a Remote Pilot License (RPL):
  • Training at DGCAapproved RPTO
  • Written exam, valid for 10 years 
• Commercial pilots must hold a fiveyear Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP)

3. AirSpace Zones: Green, Yellow & Red

India divides airspace into three zones via the DGCA’s Digital Sky map Green zone: Up to 120m altitude (400ft); no special permission needed. For microdrones, this is the easiest option.

• Yellow zone:
  • Above greenzone limits or near airports (8–12km)
  • Requires flight plan, Air Defence Clearance (ADC/FIC) and DGCA permission 
• Red zone: Strict nofly areas, e.g., military zones, airports, border regions

Maharashtra follows this national model.

4. NPNT: No Permission, No Takeoff

All drones above nano must have NPNT hardware/software. This blocks takeoff until you get digital approval via Digital Sky. The app confirms:

• Time, location, and allowed altitude
• The drone locks out if you try to fly outside approved zones

5. NoFly Zones & Temporary Bans

• Avoid 5km radius around airports. In 2025, areas around Pune and Nagpur saw temporary citywide bans due to security alerts

Examples:

• Pune (until June 12, 2025): Ban on all drones except police-approved surveillance 
• Nagpur (May 18–June 3, 2025): No drones citywide under Civil Security Code Section 163
• Mumbai: Most of the city classed as red zone—few exceptions even for leisure flights

Check the Digital Sky map every time before flying—and watch local news for temporary bans.

Read also: The Most Exciting Drones Coming in 2025

6. Flight Rules & Permissions

• Maximum altitude: 120m (400ft) 
• Keep Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times 
• No flying over crowds, moving vehicles, or emergencies
• No night flights or flights under influence 
• In controlled/yellow zones, file flight plan and obtain ADC/FIC numbers 

7. Privacy & Data Rules

• The UAOP must ensure privacy:
  • You cannot share thirdparty imagery without consent 
  • You should respect individual property ad identity when shooting 

8. Insurance, Logs & Safety Features

• Drones (except nano) must have thirdparty insurance to cover injury or damage 
• All flights need data logs, filed online after completion 
• Mandatory drone components: GPS, returntohome (RTH), anticollision lights, ID plate 

9. Penalties for Breaking Rules

Violations may bring:

• Fines: up to 50,000
• Drone seizure by police or defence forces
• Imprisonment, especially for serious breaches near airport or defence areas 

Temporary bans in Pune/Nagpur data: flying during these can lead to legal trouble 

10. StepbyStep for Safe Drone Photography

1. Choose your drone class (nano, micro, small, etc.)
2. Register & get UIN via Digital Sky
3. Install NPNT hardware or use approved drones
4. Get pilot license (RPL) if needed
5. Check Digital Sky zone map before each flight
6. File flight plan if in yellow zone
7. Follow flight rules: altitude, line of sight, no crowds
8. Respect privacy and do not share data without consent
9. Log flight data, and carry insurance
10. Monitor local news for temporary bans (Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai)

Summary

Maharashtra’s drone rules in 2025 are clear and aim to keep flying safe:

• Register your drone, get UIN, and install NPNT
• Get pilot/license if flying above 2kg or commercially
• Always check zones on Digital Sky; avoid red and banned areas
• Follow altitude, lineofsight, and no crowds rules
• Protect privacy, insure your drone, comply with logs
• Watch local updates—cities like Pune/Nagpur may ban drone use temporarily

By following these rules, you can enjoy aerial photography and videography safely in Maharashtra. Always get permission, stay informed, and fly responsibly—your creativity will soar without trouble. Safe skies and happy flying!